AT Murderer strikes again

[Bearpaw]

A murderer of 2 1981 thru-hikers (now paroled) attempted to do the same again on the trail near Pearisburg.

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-05-08-0174.html

Let's hope he stays in jail this time.

[SGT Rock]

Already a thread out man

[Panzer1]

So where did he get the gun to shoot 2 campers if he is on parole?

Panzer

[fiddlehead]

Don't be so naive. Your from PA no less.

[Odd Thomas]

So where did he get the gun to shoot 2 campers if he is on parole?

Panzer

Yea, it's strange that a repeat murderer planning more murders would dare break a gun law. If this disrespect for gun laws by murderers keeps up, gun laws will become ineffective...

[rickb]

Could have been at a gun show.

Not even a cursory background check required, as I understand it.

Never really made much sense to me why buying at gun show would be different than buying at a store with regard to background checks.

Others may know.

[oldfivetango]

He could have purchased the gun from a neighbor,
or more likely stolen it from a neighbor.I heard that
people that would commit murder might even he bad
enought to steal things.

Anyone here think the death penalty after the first offense would
NOT have prevented this senseless act?
Oldfivetango

[Jim Adams]

So where did he get the gun to shoot 2 campers if he is on parole?

Panzer

...taken from a thru hiker?:D

geek

[Rain Man]

Anyone here think the death penalty after the first offense wouldNOT have prevented this senseless act?

Only anyone with some sense and some knowledge of the FACTS. I quote the article--

"In 1982, Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder -- the chief prosecutor was uncertain he had enough evidence for a first-degree murder conviction -- and, as part of an agreement, he was sentenced to 30 years in state prison. He was paroled in 1996 after serving about 14 years."

Perhaps you want to execute people when even the chief prosecutor is uncertain of the evidence?

This may or may not be a super bad dude, but until our American system of justice changes to something better (and I don't believe cowboy vigilante justice is better), everybody,-- that's everybody,-- is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Complain to the prosecutor who copped out to the plea bargain deal.

Rain Man

P.S. Now if you really want to prevent this senseless act, keep reading the article to where it says "'Nobody would hire him, so he never had a job,' Sherman Smith said."

.

[Bearpaw]

Could have been at a gun show.

Not even a cursory background check required, as I understand it.


Not true. Handguns require a federal background check, done by internet, even at gun shows in every state. He could not have legally gotten one there.

Now a private individual might have sold one somewhere. But a gun show vendor could not if he wanted to avoid jail, or at least heavy fines and loss of his license to sell firearms.

[Two Speed]

P.S. Now if you really want to prevent this senseless act, keep reading the article to where it says "'Nobody would hire him, so he never had a job,' Sherman Smith said.".Well, given Smith's tendency to shoot people cooking him dinner I can see some rationale for not wanting to give him a job; seems to have a screwy way of expressing his gratitude.

[DesertMTB]

Only anyone with some sense and some knowledge of the FACTS. I quote the article--

"In 1982, Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder -- the chief prosecutor was uncertain he had enough evidence for a first-degree murder conviction -- and, as part of an agreement, he was sentenced to 30 years in state prison. He was paroled in 1996 after serving about 14 years."

Perhaps you want to execute people when even the chief prosecutor is uncertain of the evidence?

This may or may not be a super bad dude, but until our American system of justice changes to something better (and I don't believe cowboy vigilante justice is better), everybody,-- that's everybody,-- is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Complain to the prosecutor who copped out to the plea bargain deal.

Rain Man

P.S. Now if you really want to prevent this senseless act, keep reading the article to where it says "'Nobody would hire him, so he never had a job,' Sherman Smith said."

.


Sounds to me like the police and chief prosecutor did a very poor job.

[TFin04]

Too bad he didn't come in contact with one of these 'cowboys' that everyone on Whiteblaze talks about. :rolleyes:

Maybe one of the 'vigilantes' would have been able to defend themselves and give this scum what he deserves.

[bfitz]

Too bad he didn't come in contact with one of these 'cowboys' that everyone on Whiteblaze talks about. :rolleyes:

Maybe one of the 'vigilantes' would have been able to defend themselves and give this scum what he deserves.Every once in a while a statement like that makes sense.

[weary]

Sounds to me like the police and chief prosecutor did a very poor job.
You can read what strikes me as a pretty accurate account of what happened in the earlier killings and subsequent trial in "Murder on the Appalachian Trail" by Jess Carr.

Weary

[DesertMTB]

You can read what strikes me as a pretty accurate account of what happened in the earlier killings and subsequent trial in "Murder on the Appalachian Trail" by Jess Carr.

Weary

I'll be looking for it

[rickb]

Not true. Handguns require a federal background check, done by internet, even at gun shows in every state. He could not have legally gotten one there.

Now a private individual might have sold one somewhere. But a gun show vendor could not if he wanted to avoid jail, or at least heavy fines and loss of his license to sell firearms.


It was a hand gun?

And if it was, couldn't it be sold without a background check if it were from someone's private collection?

[wrongway_08]

who cares how/where he got it. If he would have been killed the first time, these people would have been okay tonight.

[Bearpaw]

It was a hand gun?

And if it was, couldn't it be sold without a background check if it were from someone's private collection?

I responded to your post that there are no background checks at gun shows. This is incorrect.

As for longarms, registration of the weapon is required but not a federal background check in most, if not all, states. Again, no different at gun shows. However, with a dealer, a state or local check is usually required - but the NICS (federal check) is not typically required for longarms.

As I already mentioned, between individuals, pretty much any where, face-to-face sales don't require such a check, but the seller had better be aware of who he is selling to. If it's registered in his name, he will have to answer plenty of questions if it is used in a crime.

[Jaybird62]

If would be criminals(murderers,thieves etc.) had fear of the consequences of their actions, I think we would have far less problems like this on our hands!

[sofaking]

If would be criminals(murderers,thieves etc.) had fear of the consequences of their actions, I think we would have far less problems like this on our hands!
astounding observation.

[Wise Old Owl]

More importantly - Why isn't he under arrest NOW?

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

He likely has not been arrested because he is in the hospital on a respirator and Giles County does not want to be responsible for paying his medical bills. There is a police guard posted outside his room per news reports and I'm sure he will be arrested as soon as he is able to leave the hospital or other medical facility.

[rickb]

I responded to your post that there are no background checks at gun shows. This is incorrect.

As for longarms, registration of the weapon is required but not a federal background check in most, if not all, states. Again, no different at gun shows. However, with a dealer, a state or local check is usually required - but the NICS (federal check) is not typically required for longarms.

As I already mentioned, between individuals, pretty much any where, face-to-face sales don't require such a check, but the seller had better be aware of who he is selling to. If it's registered in his name, he will have to answer plenty of questions if it is used in a crime.

Thanks, Bearpaw.

But since a huge percentage of sales at gun shows are done between "private individuals" albeit ones with extensive personal collections, the background checks can be avoided simply by going to the right table, correct?

In any event I didn't know that private sales never required background checks. I stand corrected. I was thinking they needed to be processed through a dealer. With Craig's List and such, it looks like one could avoid a background check with ease. I didn't know that. Why bother having them at all? Not sure what a private individual could be expected to know about the person he sells a gun to. Hopefully, he is at least required to check for a carry permit (in those places one is required).

[StarLyte]

Chris Rock had it right: if bullets cost $500 each folks would think twice about shooting. Right?

And you can buy or steal a handgun...that's the easy part. It happens here in Cleveland quite frequently...but that's another thread.

Not funny, I know.

[take-a-knee]

Thanks, Bearpaw.

But since a huge percentage of sales at gun shows are done between "private individuals" albeit ones with extensive personal collections, the background checks can be avoided simply by going to the right table, correct?

In any event I didn't know that private sales never required background checks. I stand corrected. I was thinking they needed to be processed through a dealer. With Craig's List and such, it looks like one could avoid a background check with ease. I didn't know that. Why bother having them at all? Not sure what a private individual could be expected to know about the person he sells a gun to. Hopefully, he is at least required to check for a carry permit (in those places one is required).

I guess it all depends on just how much government intrusion into your personal life you are willing to tolerate. In communist china under the strict one-child policy, a woman was required to register at her place of employment with a government "reproductive " agent. Her menstrual cycles were monitored, visually if required, that is they force you into the lady's room and you drop trou to demonstrate you are menstruating. If you were suspected of becoming pregnant without the states' permission this was a monthly occurrence.

Gun owners see any attempt to proscribe how they dispose of their personal property similarly. Any attempt to "track" 100% of all firearms purchases between private individuals constitutes defacto registration. As 20th century history conclusively proves, registration is a prelude to confiscation of all firearms.

[Tinker]

Sometimes I hate being right.

Gee, I guess electronic ankle bracelets don't work all that well............

D-U double H!

[The Scribe]

You can read what strikes me as a pretty accurate account of what happened in the earlier killings and subsequent trial in "Murder on the Appalachian Trail" by Jess Carr.

Weary

I read that book a long time ago. Excellent. Thanks for the reminder Weary. As I read the thread I was wondering if that was the same incident.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Sometimes I hate being right.

Gee, I guess electronic ankle bracelets don't work all that well............

D-U double H!He completed his probation in 2006 and has not worn an electronic ankle bracelet since - sounds to me like the bracelet worked very well.

[Bearpaw]

Thanks, Bearpaw.

But since a huge percentage of sales at gun shows are done between "private individuals" albeit ones with extensive personal collections, the background checks can be avoided simply by going to the right table, correct?

In any event I didn't know that private sales never required background checks. I stand corrected. I was thinking they needed to be processed through a dealer. With Craig's List and such, it looks like one could avoid a background check with ease. I didn't know that. Why bother having them at all? Not sure what a private individual could be expected to know about the person he sells a gun to. Hopefully, he is at least required to check for a carry permit (in those places one is required).

I don't know the exact details (because I've never bought a firearm online and because state laws vary), but since the internet sales are done nationwide, I'm pretty sure they can only be done through dealers and a background check is required.

The real key for private sales is knowing the person you're selling to. If a seller knowingly sells to someone with a record, he has broken the law. (I. e. a "straw man" sale - someone legal buying from a dealer then privately selling to someone with a record). To me, I wouldn't sell to someone I didn't know personally because if the weapon is used in a crime and then found, it will be traced to ME, since it is registered in my name.

The amazing thing is how little use registration is. Two years ago, my place was burglarized and my pistol was stolen. I had the serial number and registration information for the police report. You would think it would show up the first time it was sold. But of course, a criminal isn't going to sell it through legal means, now is he? The net result is that the waiting period and background checks and registration I paid for and went through was an inconvenience for me, the law-abiding citizen. It all meant nothing to the criminal involved, who never had to worry about any thing except who to rob or shoot.

[max patch]

He likely has not been arrested because he is in the hospital on a respirator and Giles County does not want to be responsible for paying his medical bills. There is a police guard posted outside his room per news reports and I'm sure he will be arrested as soon as he is able to leave the hospital or other medical facility.

I read this last night:

The man accused of shooting two people on the appalachian trail in Giles Co. is released from the hospital.
54-year-old Randall Smith was released from Roanoke Memorial Friday night.
He was then taken to the Magistrate’s Office where he was served with warrants.
Officials say he was coherent and understood what was happening.
Smith was then released to the Giles Co. Sheriff’s Department and taken back there.
Scott Johnston, one of the shooting victims is still in the hospital.
We check late Friday night and he is still listed in good condition.

[SGT Rock]

More importantly - Why isn't he under arrest NOW?
You must not have seen this yesterday:

Published: May 9, 2008
The man accused of shooting two people on the appalachian trail in Giles Co. is released from the hospital.

54-year-old Randall Smith was released from Roanoke Memorial Friday night.

He was then taken to the Magistrate’s Office where he was served with warrants.

Officials say he was coherent and understood what was happening.
Smith was then released to the Giles Co. Sheriff’s Department and taken back there.

Scott Johnston, one of the shooting victims is still in the hospital.
We check late Friday night and he is still listed in good condition.

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36696

[egclimb3]

To see what a screw up it was srtiking a plea deal. I live 20 minutes from Pearisburg. also too bad Lying Randalls Mother is dead also, she should see how bad her boy really is. I am appalled at this whole deal. I day hike, Trout fish, have done thru trips through the whole Dismal Falls area for years. I have seen where Bob Mountford and Susan Ramsey were buried in their sleeping bags. The whole area there has been ruined for me, well the beauty has. I have stayed in Wapiti shelter winter backpacking several times and the people I am with always want to talk about it, but I always tell them. "I will show you in the morning when we leave, tonight I want to get some sleep and so should you" Things like this are the reason I have a concealed permit and why I ALWAYS carry on the AT, National Forest, and anywhere else I feel I need to protect me or my family. The Police cannot be with you at all times. I fear people like Randall Lee Smith I don't fear the Wildlife. I am also extremely pissed my taxdollars will feed and house this piece of sh#t for the rest of his life. He should have been executed the first time, ask the persons famililes that he murdered in cold blood while they slept in 1981. I bet they will agree.

[WILLIAM HAYES]

another failure of the american justice system this piece of crap should have never been released.
hillbilly

[Rain Man]

Too bad he didn't come in contact with one of these 'cowboys' that everyone on Whiteblaze talks about. :rolleyes:

Maybe one of the 'vigilantes' would have been able to defend themselves and give this scum what he deserves.

There are reasons in cowboy movies why the guys in the white hats always stand against the lynch mob.

There are also reasons those lynch mobs are often local scummy riff-raff from the town saloon, where they have gotten their courage from liquor.

And no matter how self-righteous they puff themselves up to be, they often turn out to be bigger "criminals" in their hasty justice, than the victim of their "we're-above-the-law" actions.

Same is true today. The story of the west and of our Nation is often the story of bringing justice to an area of lawlessness and law-breakers. Same is true today, though as then, many would love to go backwards to vigilante "justice."

In cowboy movies what are prized are cool heads, good morals, and strength of character to do what is right.

So, I suppose it is important to know which WhiteBlaze "cowboys" we are talking about. I'm kinda partial to the latter kind!

Rain:sunMan

.

[sofaking]

well put rm...

[Terry7]

I am on the trail now and just got into Trourdale today, does anybody know when the trail will be open?

[Two Speed]

Supposed to be open already. Still closed?

[take-a-knee]

There are reasons in cowboy movies why the guys in the white hats always stand against the lynch mob.

There are also reasons those lynch mobs are often local scummy riff-raff from the town saloon, where they have gotten their courage from liquor.

And no matter how self-righteous they puff themselves up to be, they often turn out to be bigger "criminals" in their hasty justice, than the victim of their "we're-above-the-law" actions.

Same is true today. The story of the west and of our Nation is often the story of bringing justice to an area of lawlessness and law-breakers. Same is true today, though as then, many would love to go backwards to vigilante "justice."

In cowboy movies what are prized are cool heads, good morals, and strength of character to do what is right.

So, I suppose it is important to know which WhiteBlaze "cowboys" we are talking about. I'm kinda partial to the latter kind!

Rain:sunMan

.

That is a really lame analogy Rainman. Those fishermen weren't threatening the "sherrif" , they were cooking for the murderous SOB.

When some demonic SOB beats you nearly unconscious, then ties your a$$ up and tells you to "squeal". Knowing full well that this humiliation will be your last experience in this life, I garantee your self-righteous a$$ will be praying for a "cowboy".

[sofaking]

when i was a baby my momma told me son always be a good boy, don't ever play with guns...

mommas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys...

[weary]

To see what a screw up it was srtiking a plea deal. I live 20 minutes from Pearisburg. also too bad Lying Randalls Mother is dead also, she should see how bad her boy really is. I am appalled at this whole deal. I day hike, Trout fish, have done thru trips through the whole Dismal Falls area for years. I have seen where Bob Mountford and Susan Ramsey were buried in their sleeping bags. The whole area there has been ruined for me, well the beauty has. I have stayed in Wapiti shelter winter backpacking several times and the people I am with always want to talk about it, but I always tell them. "I will show you in the morning when we leave, tonight I want to get some sleep and so should you" Things like this are the reason I have a concealed permit and why I ALWAYS carry on the AT, National Forest, and anywhere else I feel I need to protect me or my family. The Police cannot be with you at all times. I fear people like Randall Lee Smith I don't fear the Wildlife. I am also extremely pissed my taxdollars will feed and house this piece of sh#t for the rest of his life. He should have been executed the first time, ask the persons famililes that he murdered in cold blood while they slept in 1981. I bet they will agree.
They may have changed their minds since, but I understand both of the families of the 1981 killings agreed at the time with the plea agreement.

The agreement called for 30 years in prison. The prosecutors said it was unlikely if Smith had been tried that he would have gotten more than 40 years. They said they were confident of a conviction on the girl's murder, but they had no direct evidence connecting the man to Smith, other than being in the same vicinity of the other murder and questioned whether a jury would convict.

The villain, if any, in the fact that Smith was free this year, stems from his parole with only half his two terms served.

Weary

[dessertrat]

That is a really lame analogy Rainman. Those fishermen weren't threatening the "sherrif" , they were cooking for the murderous SOB.

When some demonic SOB beats you nearly unconscious, then ties your a$$ up and tells you to "squeal". Knowing full well that this humiliation will be your last experience in this life, I garantee your self-righteous a$$ will be praying for a "cowboy".

take-a-knee, I think you completely misunderstand what he was saying. He is saying we should not be vigilantes after the crime, not that those who are about to be a victim of a crime can't defend themselves.

[rickb]

Weary, please don't lay even 1% of the blame on the victim's families. While a DA can and should weigh the survivors' opinions into his decision making, that's as far as it goes. The family can't have the experience or distance to make the call. A professional prosecutor does. Or should.

Justice was not served. Perhaps it would have been if LW (or like-minded and equipped soul) were with the fishermen.

[SGT Rock]

take-a-knee, I think you completely misunderstand what he was saying. He is saying we should not be vigilantes after the crime, not that those who are about to be a victim of a crime can't defend themselves.
That was my read too Take-a-knee. I don't think Rain man was saying folks shouldn't defend themselves, he was saying that people forming the lynch mob should calm down.

[weary]

Weary, please don't lay even 1% of the blame on the victim's families. While a DA can and should weigh the survivors' opinions into his decision making, that's as far as it goes. The family can't have the experience or distance to make the call. A professional prosecutor does. Or should.

Justice was not served. Perhaps it would have been if LW (or like-minded and equipped soul) were with the fishermen.
I don't believe any blame rests on the families. Someone said the families were probably unhappy with the decision of the proscecutors. I said all the reports indicate they concurred in the decision to plea bargain.

That was my understanding when I wrote about the case back in the 80s and I verified it by reading this week the final chapters of the book, "Murder on the Appalachian Trail," which purports to be an accurate account of the murders and the subsequent trial.

The parents of the murdered couple said that what they wanted most was to hear Smith plead guilty and go to prison.

Weary

[Jaybird62]

astounding observation.
http://planetsmilies.net/ill-violated-dead-smiley-5387.gifhttp://planetsmilies.net/ill-violated-dead-smiley-9660.gifU have a nice day 2:rolleyes:

[egclimb3]

Randall Lee Smith was found Dead in his Jail cell this afternoon, with no signs of visible self inflicted or suicide evidence. Thank you Randall! whatever you or God or the Devil did to get you out of our world, we owe ya! Now the taxpayers won't have to house or feed his inhuman ass for life. I was kinda hoping he would go to prison and be Leroys bitch for eternity. Maybe that is what he wanted, to be back in prison. Quite a F'd up situation.

[SGT Rock]

Looks like it is true:
http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=8305805

[Skidsteer]

How about that.

[sofaking]

good ending.

[take-a-knee]

That was my read too Take-a-knee. I don't think Rain man was saying folks shouldn't defend themselves, he was saying that people forming the lynch mob should calm down.

Well, maybe I oughta calm down, I get sorta exercised when right-thinking folks like myself get accused of bloodlust by the hoplophobes of this world.

If people like myself were really vengeful, wanna-be whacked-out killers, would Hanoi Jane be drawing social security?

[SGT Rock]

Did you see the latest Take-a-knee? Looks like karma caught up with him.

[camojack]

good ending.
I just LOVE a happy ending!

[Cuffs]

I keep hearing the tune "ding dong the witch is dead!"

[minnesotasmith]

I just LOVE a happy ending!

When he'd first tried to shoot a hiker without real cause, the pistol had explosively misfired in his hand, painfully blinding him and blowing off his hand, and he'd bled to death while the would-be target hiker munched GORP and watched appreciatively. That would have been a truly happy ending IMO.

[Panzer1]

P.S. Now if you really want to prevent this senseless act, keep reading the article to where it says "'Nobody would hire him, so he never had a job,' Sherman Smith said."I suspect that if you had met this guy in person you probably would have sensed that you would not want to be around him either. I'm just guessing here but I would bet that he probably had a menacing appearance about him. That might explain why nobody would give him a job.

Panzer

ps its for the best that he's dead now.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

First, prayers for any family the deceased may have.

Second, prayers the autopsy clears the jailers and Giles County of any wrongdoing.

Third, Karma can be a real beyotch. I wouldn't rule out a suicide just yet based on this from the article cited by Sgt Rock:
Authorities with the Giles County Sheriff's department say they found no evidence of suicide. They say Smith's death appears to be more of a medical problem. Yesterday, however, the inmate said he was ready for death.

"By the tone of his voice, Mr. Smith was very bitter about the process that had been dealt to him as he said. And, he no longer wanted to live," said Lt. Ron Hanlin of the Giles County Sheriff's Department.

[Ramble~On]

Good Bye $#!^ for brains!
Not only am I happy that he got what he deserved..I'm happy that he got it in such a nice timely fashion. No long, expensive trial, appeals, RIGHTS...free room and board. Call it what you will but "something" decided to remove this scum from the world...he didn't "die" he PAID.
I don't think the "cause" needs to be looked into or investigated.

Karma ?
:-? Now...if only the same "cause" could clear out some other............

Hey GARY !!!!!! :sun The Sunshine State Welcomes You!

Justice....

[warren doyle]

Too bad Jess Carr has passed on, I would be interested in reading an expanded afterword in a 2nd edition of Murder on the Appalachian Trail.

Perhaps the movie rights could be sold to Martin Scorsese for a new film.
Some suggestions for a title:
Forest Fear
The Departed: Part II
Raging Welder
Pickup Driver
Mean Trails

[Hooch]

Too bad Jess Carr has passed on, I would be interested in reading an expanded afterword in a 2nd edition of Murder on the Appalachian Trail.

Perhaps the movie rights could be sold to Martin Scorsese for a new film.
Some suggestions for a title:
Forest Fear
The Departed: Part II
Raging Welder
Pickup Driver
Mean Trails

Worm Food
Cremation Fodder

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

So will he be buried along the AT in a shallow grave with a sleeping bag as a coffin?

[Two Speed]

I'd prefer Randall Smith was dropped off at the local landfill.

[Hooch]

So will he be buried along the AT in a shallow grave with a sleeping bag as a coffin?He shouldn't recieve such an honor. Drop his carcass in a ditch somewhere after the autopsy. I'd say even the worms wouldn't want scum that low.

[Bearpaw]

Give the dead its due, pray the two current victims make full recoveries, and move on.

I seen enough death, even death that the situation warranted, to be pleased with it. I'll just acknowledge that this is probably the best ending for the story as it already unfolded.

[The Old Fhart]

Well said, Bearpaw.

[warraghiyagey]

Well said, Bearpaw.
Yup. . . . .

[nitewalker]

i cant understand how a man can get a 30 yr sentece for bludgening someone to death while stabbing them multiple times. not just one person but two. if you have enough evidence to put him away for 30 yrs then how can he be let out after 14yrs murder one or murder 2. the prosecution had enough to put him away for 30yrs so how can they say there wasnt enough of a case for a longer sentence. the dude at minimum should have completed 30 yr sentence, he killed two people that had done nothing wrong to this ahole. he killed them for being innocent people..what a goddmn joke our system is... poor marion jones has to go to prison for lying to a grand jury and all these male athletes do no time after lying to a grand jury. im confused with all the B S that this country is full of....if you have enough evidence to put him away for 30 then why not keep him there for 30 or make a better case and keep him in there for 100 yrs. better yet , hang the loser....this clown really doesnt deserve the least bit of our time..he needs to be wiped off the bottom of our hiking shoes like when we step in ****.....[oops].................................peace to all, nitewalker

[Stir Fry]

i cant understand how a man can get a 30 yr sentece for bludgening someone to death while stabbing them multiple times. not just one person but two. if you have enough evidence to put him away for 30 yrs then how can he be let out after 14yrs murder one or murder 2. the prosecution had enough to put him away for 30yrs so how can they say there wasnt enough of a case for a longer sentence. the dude at minimum should have completed 30 yr sentence, he killed two people that had done nothing wrong to this ahole. he killed them for being innocent people..what a goddmn joke our system is... poor marion jones has to go to prison for lying to a grand jury and all these male athletes do no time after lying to a grand jury. im confused with all the B S that this country is full of....if you have enough evidence to put him away for 30 then why not keep him there for 30 or make a better case and keep him in there for 100 yrs. better yet , hang the loser....this clown really doesnt deserve the least bit of our time..he needs to be wiped off the bottom of our hiking shoes like when we step in ****.....[oops].................................peace to all, nitewalker


He got off early for being a good boy, or working in prision. Most of those type programs knock of at leat 1/2 ther time.

[nitewalker]

He got off early for being a good boy, or working in prision. Most of those type programs knock of at leat 1/2 ther time.

i do understand why he was let out . the problem is how the hell can anyone justify his release after what type of hanaus crime he commited. he stabbed two people multiple times and they had enough to give him 30yrs. what kind of evidence was missing if they were able to give him a 30 yr sentece and not a longer one....i just cant phathom the early release..

[Gaiter]

I'd prefer Randall Smith was dropped off at the local landfill.

wish granted (kinda): http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36764 he was found dead in his jail cell

[Gaiter]

oh woops that was already mentioned on this thread (i kinda feel like a broken record)

[Two Speed]

No problems, Gaiter. Lotta strong feelings about this sort of thing.

[Dances with Mice]

No problems, Gaiter. Lotta strong feelings about this sort of thing.Maybe its contagious. Can we get Hilton transferred to that cell?

[Nearly Normal]

Here's a take from a hiker on the trail.
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=229230

[Two Speed]

Maybe its contagious. Can we get Hilton transferred to that cell?I'm OK with that.

All kidding around aside I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Smith died of complications from his injuries sustained during the wreck.

[BlackCloud]

I wouldn't call this a "happy" ending, as there are still two more people who will be forever changed. That being said, with the death of Smith, this episode of AT history is closed, and for that we can all be relieved.

[weary]

i cant understand how a man can get a 30 yr sentece for bludgening someone to death while stabbing them multiple times. not just one person but two. if you have enough evidence to put him away for 30 yrs then how can he be let out after 14yrs murder one or murder 2. the prosecution had enough to put him away for 30yrs so how can they say there wasnt enough of a case for a longer sentence. the dude at minimum should have completed 30 yr sentence, he killed two people that had done nothing wrong to this ahole. he killed them for being innocent people..what a goddmn joke our system is... poor marion jones has to go to prison for lying to a grand jury and all these male athletes do no time after lying to a grand jury. im confused with all the B S that this country is full of....if you have enough evidence to put him away for 30 then why not keep him there for 30 or make a better case and keep him in there for 100 yrs. better yet , hang the loser....this clown really doesnt deserve the least bit of our time..he needs to be wiped off the bottom of our hiking shoes like when we step in ****.....[oops].................................peace to all, nitewalker
This was not a simple decision. The book, which people seem to think was accurate, goes into agonizing details about the decision for a plea bargain. Assuming the book was a fair representation of the facts, I'm convinced the decision was probably wise.

The prosecution was worried that if it went to trial it might get only one conviction, and that the judge would impose only a 20 year sentence.

But you can't know this from what has been posted so far on White Blaze. There are the details of Virginia law -- dealing with murder and parole -- that haven't really been discussed, but which figured strongly in the decision to plea bargain.

Smith's court-appointed lawyers included a couple who were considered among the best in the state. The DA was nervoius about going to trial with very little direct evidence about one of the deaths.

Weary

[rickb]

Weary is correct that the courts do not always convict those accused of crimes. We need look no further than the rap sheet of the man accused of assaulting the woman thru hiker in another part of the state.

Lets remember this one, too. I only wish I knew of someway to help the victim as she faces a rather crappy justice system.


Two years ago, Carter was acquitted of abduction, rape and two counts of sodomy in a case that is a little similar to what allegedly happened last weekend in Botetourt County.

A 21-year-old woman testified that Carter picked her up the night of Nov. 9, 2005, as she was walking home from Vinton to the Mount Pleasant area of Roanoke County following an argument with her boyfriend.

The woman said she was reluctant at first to accept a ride from a stranger who told her she looked too young to be walking alone at night. But after Carter said he was married with children her age, the woman got into his minivan.

According to the woman, Carter drove her almost to her home before grabbing her by the hair and forcing her into the back of the van, where he raped and sexually abused her.

Carter, however, told the jury that the woman came on to him after accepting a ride that night. He admitted having sex with her but said it was consensual.

Following a two-day trial in Roanoke County Circuit Court in June 2006, a jury acquitted Carter of all four charges.

Carter has also faced abduction charges in Roanoke.

In 1987, Carter's ex-girlfriend told police that he forced her into his car, which he crashed in the back yard of a Southeast Roanoke home while trying to outrun a police officer.

Carter, who was 18 at the time, was convicted of a lesser charge of assault and was sentenced to three months in jail, according to online court records.

http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/160510

[Programbo]

Only anyone with some sense and some knowledge of the FACTS. I quote the article--"In 1982, Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder -- the chief prosecutor was uncertain he had enough evidence for a first-degree murder conviction -- and, as part of an agreement, he was sentenced to 30 years in state prison. He was paroled in 1996 after serving about 14 years."....Perhaps you want to execute people when even the chief prosecutor is uncertain of the evidence?.

Actually you are misunderstanding the facts..The chief prosecutor isn`t uncertain of the evidence at all..There is NO doubt this man killed the two hikers in 1981..What the prosecutor said was that there wasn`t enough evidence to show that the murders were planned in advance of the act (i.e. the perp went to the shelter with the intention of killing whover was there) which is required for a first degree murder conviction..I for one would have no problem with executing someone even for second degree murder.. Or even just for the rape or armed robbery charges for that matter

[rickb]

The prosecution was worried that if it went to trial it might get only one conviction, and that the judge would impose only a 20 year sentence.

Weary,

Two questions:

1. If the DA thought he could get a conviction for one killing, how is it possible that he was concerned about getting a conviction for the 2nd? That seems odd.

2. Why would a judge only impose a 20-year sentence in these circumastances? Was that the mandatory cap? Or was the Judge a liberal who might be expected to give a young man a second chance after killing two thru hikers?

[jstmean]

I have lived in Giles County for 8 years. Wrongdoing and Giles County Police/Sheriff go hand in hand. In the extended interview with the "law enforcement" official that claimed Smith was "ready for death" (how convenient), did anyone notice how many times, when talking about Smith's death, that he touched his face and nose. That is the number one sign of lying and deception. How surprising...and in Giles County...:-?

[jstmean]

Bearpaws, you can get a gun easily at a gun show without a background check. Just walk out the front door to the private owners who take cash and give you a gun. He had a truck...he probably simply drove to a Salem or Roanoke gun show and bought one.

[take-a-knee]

Bearpaws, you can get a gun easily at a gun show without a background check. Just walk out the front door to the private owners who take cash and give you a gun. He had a truck...he probably simply drove to a Salem or Roanoke gun show and bought one.

That is true but there is one thing that most definetely will land an ex-con back in the slammer, and that is to get caught with a firearm. So if a guy is willing to risk that, how do you propose to stop him, other than locking him up or killing him?

[weary]

Weary,

Two questions:

1. If the DA thought he could get a conviction for one killing, how is it possible that he was concerned about getting a conviction for the 2nd? That seems odd.

2. Why would a judge only impose a 20-year sentence in these circumastances? Was that the mandatory cap? Or was the Judge a liberal who might be expected to give a young man a second chance after killing two thru hikers?
There was physical evidence linking Smith with the murder of the woman. There was no physical evidence linking Smith with the murder of the man. He simply was in the area where someone was killed.

Smith had very skilled defense attorneys, fully capable of spinning all kinds of possible scenarios that could raise doubts in the minds of the jurors. The man and the woman had an interesting relationship. They slept in the same tent, but the guy constantly wrote love letters to his girlfriend back in Maine telling her how he was looking forward to spending the rest of his life with her and talking a great deal about their future plans.

Among the stories a skilled defense attorney might plant in the minds of the jurors was that the woman killed her camp mate in a fit of jealousy, and was then killed by Smith.

The book has many pages devoted to the discussions among the defense team and among the prosecutors, and between the two groups. The plea agreement was announced and approved by the judge the morning the trail was about to begin.

Weary