Now 41, killer of 4-year-old boy granted parole on 11th try

ALBANY, N.Y. – Eric M. Smith, who was 13 erstwhile helium killed a 4-year-old lad with a stone successful occidental New York, has been granted parole, according to corrections officials.

Smith, present 41, appeared for the 11th clip earlier the Board of Parole connected October 5 and was granted merchandise arsenic aboriginal arsenic Nov. 17, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said successful an emailed connection Saturday.

Transcripts of the proceeding were not instantly released.

Smith was convicted of second-degree execution successful 1994 for luring Derrick Robie into woods adjacent the younger boy's location and striking his caput with a rock. Robie was walking unsocial to summertime campy astatine a parkland successful the Steuben County colony of Savona successful August 1993.

At his trial, Smith’s lawyer unsuccessfully argued that Smith was mentally ill. Smith was sentenced to 9 years to beingness successful prison.

He told a parole committee successful 2014 that helium had held successful his rage and vexation aft years of bullying and took it retired connected a small lad who didn’t merit it.

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Derrick’s parents, Dale and Doreen Robie, opposed Smith’s merchandise each clip it was antecedently considered and person lobbied for parole reforms that see extending the clip betwixt hearings for convulsive offenders from the existent 2 years to five.

Dale Robie told section media the household did not privation to remark connected the latest decision.

Smith is housed astatine the medium-security Woodbourne Correctional Facility successful the Catskills.

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