Eric Smith: The child killer
June 14th, 2009 - 9:01 pm ICT by GD ( 47 comments )On June 2008, Eric Smith was denied a parole by the State Parole Board. The board had unanimously released their decision on the convicted child killer Smith on Thursday, June 12 2008. The decision has put Smith safely behind the bars of the State Prison for another 2 years, till he is eligible for parole again in May 2010.
Eric smith has been denied parole 4 times since 2002. He is serving a term of a minimum of 9 years to maximum of life for conviction on second degree murder charges. Recently, in March 2009, he was denied parole once more by the parole board. Till February 25, 2009, Smith was know to be in the Clinton Correctional Facility where he has been since 2001.
Eric Smith was convicted for the murder of 4 year old Derrick Robie in 1994. On August 2, 1993, Smith had brutally murdered the child in Steuben County, New York. Smith was a 13 year old teenager at that time. Now a 29 year old man, he still has the parole board in serious doubt about the stability of his mental health.
On the fateful day of the murder in 1993, little Derrick was walking to a youth summer camp in Savona, unaccompanied by his mother for the first time. He was intercepted on the way by Smith, who had lured him to a secluded area. Then Smith had killed the boy by strangulation and striking him with large rocks. Then he had followed his gruesome act by stuffing a napkin in Derrick’s mouth and pouring Kool- Aid over him. After that he had sexually abused the dead boy’s body.
Eric Smith as held in juvenile facility for 6 years. While in jail, he had written an apology letter to the Robie family and had read it out on public television too.
- Murder convict arrested 10 years after jumping parole - Dec 20, 2011
- Mark David Chapman Refused Parole Once More - Sep 08, 2010
- Convict denied fund money for daughter's marriage - Jan 15, 2012
- Teen Charged With Attempted Rape & Slaying Of Cheltenham Teacher - Aug 02, 2010
- HIV positive porn star Derrick Burts speaks out - Dec 08, 2010
- Son of Sam Parole: David Berkowitz Stays Put - May 12, 2010
- Manu Sharma's parole plea decision Nov 16 (Lead) - Nov 14, 2011
- Gang Leader Responsible For Murder Of Two Girls, Executed By The State - Aug 19, 2010
- John Lennon's killer denied parole - Sep 08, 2010
- Teen Charged With Raping And Murdering Teacher - Jul 29, 2010
- Teen charged in a teacher's murder at the Cheltenham Youth Facility - Jul 29, 2010
- Another cop held for girl's death in police station - Jul 03, 2011
- Robert Kennedy's assassin denied parole for 13th time - Mar 03, 2011
- Haryana woman held for child's murder - Dec 09, 2011
- Mark David Chapman denied parole for the sixth time - Sep 08, 2010
Tags: 6 years, apology letter, child killer, clinton correctional facility, conviction, derrick robie, eric smith, fateful day, juvenile facility, kool aid, maximum of life, murder charges, public television, second degree murder, serious doubt, state parole board, state prison, steuben county new york, strangulation, youth summer camp
August 17th, 2009 at 5:05 am
After doing research on this topic for school, I have found no evidence at all that Eric had sexually abused the body of the boy.
September 10th, 2009 at 4:23 am
Hi Elliott. Interesting school project topic. Was it assigned? Was it a group project like some classes do? Was it a debate club topic? If not assigned to you or your class, how did you come to choose it and were you able to meet all of your project goals and make any new discoveries? What sources were you able to find?
January 26th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
While i value the fact that you are so interested in your homework, i would like you to realize that eric has a family out there, and every time i or another family member finds something posted on the internet while searching for something else it cuts our unhealed wounds even deeper. I am in no way justifying eric’s actions, but i just wish that our family be left alone. All the media attention led to a hound of reporters at the door of erics step-fathers funeral because eric attended. We were unable to grieve that day, how would any of you like that to happen to you?
February 8th, 2010 at 2:59 am
He stuck a small stick up the young boys rectum. Perhaps, someone should do the same to you and then you can tell us all if you have been sexually abused.
February 11th, 2010 at 2:47 am
and ES relative, Is it not public knowledge that eric’s step father sexually abused his sister? I am not trying to put salt in old wounds but I mean come on “how would you like that to happen to you?” I have no doubt his step father played a major role in the death of that young boy. Who cares if you could grieve for a man who abuses his step daughter? He deserved to be in jail with eric and justice was served when he died.
March 29th, 2010 at 6:02 am
I feel for Eric he was picked on because of his appearence those bullies should have been arrested and sentenced to life in prison not Eric.
March 29th, 2010 at 6:04 am
What’s a rectum ?
April 10th, 2010 at 4:27 am
There was to evidence of sexual abuse my god they examined the 4 year old’s body to find that he had sodimized him with a stick or broom handle so what the heck are you talking about and he said he had no sexual gradification from this he only did it to make sure he was dead those are from his lips his voice his words.
April 12th, 2010 at 1:58 am
Well i’m saddened by this story. Poor baby. And the sodimy story is true.I was watching too young to kill on E channel and Eric admits to it.
April 13th, 2010 at 2:17 am
Well Jordan, its funny that you’ve come to your opinions from whatever source and feel what you say is right, and then would seek out to hurt a grieving family that could actually give you the real answers. Don’t bring my family into Eric’s actions. Eric Chose, Eric Gets punished. Why put the blame elsewhere? What does that solve? and as a response to the alligations that my cousin stacy was abused by my uncle. let me say that stacy was also kicked out of the house at sixteen and was emancipated because her mother couldn’t handle her rowdyness. Stacy has also since said that she made those claims to get rid of my uncle ted because she felt jealous over the attention he gave his daughter (since she was his step daughter). So before you post another comment further degrading my uncle, who is NOT ALIVE TO DEFEND HIMSELF, OR my aunt who has struggled for 17 years though this whole ordeal for her son’s actions, maybe you should think about the people your hurting and think about how Yes, ‘how you would feel’ maybe this is your outlet to get attention away from how you feel about yourself but really, pick someone else’s family who hasn’t been through so much. your pathetic, get of the world of warcraft and make some real-life friends
April 13th, 2010 at 2:23 am
also jordan, how can you have ‘no doubt’ that my uncle had a major playing role? since my uncle adopted eric after his real father abandoned him. maybe that could have been a factor right? but again you don’t have FACTS. My uncle was outspoken, and definately would not have stood for any of this crap, but he also was kind, and shed his help wherever it was needed. In fact the day he died he was on his way to go help his father in law ( my grandfather) just as he has many times and for many different people before.
April 26th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
ok….. i think what eric smith did was HORRIBLE… I know if someone did that to one of the kids in my family i would want them sentenced to death or maybe would like 2 kill them myself,,,,but on the other hand..Eric was a CHILD when he committed that crime and at that age, ur mind is not developed enough to make adult decisions and by keeping him in jail helps nobody,, I watched the episode on tv and i came and googled it because i can’t believe that someone would want him in jail that long… i mean he was only 13.. he needed help and jail does not do that.. what kind of mom lets a 5 yr old go out of their sight to go a block… that was sick… she should have been n prison as well… anyways, god forgives eric and everyone else should too, but i am sure he will never get out but i pray that he does
April 26th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
4 years old actually not 5, she definatly should be charged with something if not charged with murder herself for letting him go by himself, at the very least child neglect and abandonment
April 28th, 2010 at 10:08 am
will he ever be free? where could someone write to him?
April 30th, 2010 at 12:11 am
Eric has been denied parole every time he has applied, most recently this april. He could be set free,but i and other family members believe that it wouldn’t be a good idea because if he ever returned to savona, he would be murdered. On the topic of writing, I don’t believe he accepts mail from people other than family.
April 30th, 2010 at 4:36 am
People please be nice to Eric’s family, his family are not the guilty party, his family didn’t do the crime, please leave them in peace.
May 30th, 2010 at 5:24 am
I feel worse for Eric his story should have been #1 on Too Young To Kill 6 8 and 13 are way too young to kill.
May 31st, 2010 at 8:57 am
Eric’s mom took his father back after he was convicted and supposedly “treated” for his sickness. Those guys should never be around kids again. That mother makes me sick. How is her daughter supposed to feel that mom takes back her molester? Women like her are SELFISH, don’t want to get a job, or be alone. She needed to hang onto her child molester husband for herself– Never mind the kids. No wonder Eric was screwed up.
May 31st, 2010 at 9:16 am
EVD Relative- your uncle admitted to sexually abusing his stepdaughter, submitted to treatment, and returned to his family. Are you trying to say he went through all that while claiming his innocence? Don’t try to spread misinformation to the public. He was disgusting and so was his wife for allowing him to set foot back in the house with her daughter.
June 6th, 2010 at 6:56 am
The bastard should be shot. As any child murderer should be. No mercy.
July 25th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
i think eric need an oportunity to be a human person
August 2nd, 2010 at 7:23 am
@bebaselena@tu: lol stfu
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:43 am
Eric was sexually abused because a 13yr old would have never raped another child if he wasn’t. It is sad but once a child molester always a child molester. They are not cured by any amount of jail time.
September 14th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Eric Smith is a damaged man. He was damaged as a young child and now damaged as a man by being in jail most of his life. He knows no other life now than someone telling him what to do and when to do it. Chances are if Eric is ever released he would either kill again or some of other crime. I think that he still needs lots of psychology to begin to understand who he is and what he has done. He doesn’t need another chance to kill or sexually abuse someone else. I am not being mean to family or friends of Eric’s, just stating the facts. As far as Derricks family, his mom doesn’t deserve to be charged with anything. Growing up I rode my bike all over town. That town he was growing up in was safe to do the same. They lived on a dead end road. Who would think that a 13 year old boy would kill your child? Derrick was killed minutes after leaving home to go to the ball field. Its is crazy that our children and grandchildren can’t grow up the way we did and our grandparents. prayers with both family and friends!
September 16th, 2010 at 12:48 am
I just saw this story again last night and I remember when it happened! Looking at Eric’s face in the courtroom pics, shows no emotion he looks cold like a stone statue. My heart broke because I could see the child, he had obviously gone through so much in his young life that his young mind didnt know how to process or deal with it, the anger then erupted in an act of murder probly his only way to release in his mind. I know people in prison been there many years its a lifestyle there and when they get out they dont know how to be around people. We are safer that hes locked up, his parents can write to him and visit, Derrik’s mom cannot :(
September 16th, 2010 at 11:25 pm
No i’m not spreading misinformation. I’m telling the truth, from someone inside the situation, something that you all lack. I’m ensuring that people get the right information, not all the rumors and lies told by other people. I understand people have their own opinions, but just as we all respect Derrik, Respect all of the dead, including my uncle.
September 30th, 2010 at 4:18 am
To the relative of Eric & Ted. Who are you to know the real truth? Did you grow up in our house? No you’ve heard & spread your misinformed education. I will speak of the dead, only because I feel in no violation of the dead(him) any more than he violated me. By the way Ted & I had faced the happenings of what he had done & for me to move on I forgave him. I didn’t & won’t forget but I needed to heal & forgiving is how I did it. So yes he would be pissed about things written on here; but he would respect me voicing myself & not letting you or anyone spread lies. So who have you heard your stories from??? It doesn’t matter. The truth, Eric’s biological father did sign off all rights to Eric when he was a child…because there wasn’t certainty of whom the father was & Eric only knew Ted as his father. A decision that was made by all adults involved. Eric did have questions & felt unwanted. Unfortunately he didn’t get to see a therapist for his pain & confusion. Getting kicked out at 16….for your correct info. It was 15 when I LEFT, because I couldn’t take the mental, physical & sexual abuse & finally had a safe haven to go to. Yes I was a disruptive daughter, looking for my moms attention, despising my stepdad and the whole situation, within my own confusion. Yes I was jealous of my sister. Why was she any better to recieve respect & love more than me? I’m over that now….throughout life then & now I speak no ill about anyone I speak the truth. So sweet dear cousin of mine….unless you’ve lived my/our life keep your mouth shut. I’m not perfect, Ted wasn’t perfect, Eric isn’t perfect & neither is my mother. We’ve all made our mistakes & will reap what we sow eventually. I will be the first to admit my faults & do as I should to correct them. Good luck dear relative finding the truth before you share…..I hope you can live up to your own unknown standards……shall the TRUTH set you free!!!
September 30th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
My sisters ex-husband was the first to be questioned on the murder of Derrick. Stacy, you may remember the ugly green pickup that sat on the corner across from the church. At the time of Derricks death he was stalking my sister, & while sitting in his truck there were several complaints of him making rude coments to children as they past by. During his questioning the police labled him as unstable. He fit the profile.
I wish it was him, and that Eric could have gotten the help he needed before it was too late, but at the same time I wish Derrick didn’t have to lose his life.
October 1st, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Wow, i just did a random internet search for an address, and came apon all of these websites. The fact that there are websites about eric is not what bothers me, but the fact that there are so many people dedicating their time and energy to make others feel bad. Go ahead have your opinions, but have a conscience, some people have gone their whole lives being tortured over this subject when they weren’t even involved, and finding all this crap all the time doesn’t help.
Elaine.
p.s.
whoever thought it was funny to use my initials is seriously sick. I’m tired of being involved in all of this when i was only MONTHS old when all of this happened. PLEASE STOP. The days of your stupid high school teasing is over.
October 16th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Whats wrong with you people? I stumbled in here after searching Eric Smith and this is what I find. Two people matter here, Derrick and EriC
November 9th, 2010 at 5:09 am
Ok, this is a premeditated sadistic murder. This man devil has had 16 years in prison? He should never be let out. That little boy never even lived half of his life, so this man’s should be taken away. There is so remorse. That little baby is DEAD all thanks to this mess up of a person. Think if that little kid was your child being sodimized and murdered in the woods by some sick bored neighbor who just wanted to kill something helpless and smaller than him. Burn in hell
November 9th, 2010 at 5:11 am
i agree with anita 100%
November 17th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
I agree raledbetter, Wish everyone else did as well.
November 17th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
Stacy is right on in saying that we weren’t there when things happened, I mean boom, I wasn’t there for any of the stuff that happened in the household.
I remember Eric raised the same point about how we who were watching the news wasn’t there, and well he’s right, I wasn’t there for whatever transpired.
I also feel those who really were there including Stacy and Eric have a right to tell the story from their own point of view and I praise Stacy for speaking up on here.
November 28th, 2010 at 1:39 am
he needs to remain behind bars or killed
November 28th, 2010 at 2:33 am
The whole story is heartbreaking. The enemy rules this world we live in & none of this was a surprise to God. God has forgiven Eric (if he has asked Him to) so, I agree, we should too. There have been two deaths here….Derrick and Eric. Eric needs help. Prayers go out to all involved.
December 9th, 2010 at 6:34 am
this shit keeps me up at night im sure other people feel the same way more for the people affected
December 9th, 2010 at 7:13 am
eric shouldn’t be killed whether he actually is remorseful or not and if he is remorseful and is planning to be a productive member of society then he should be released and people like anon should mind your own business and stop spreading hate towards a remorseful individual who committed his crime way before anyone can comprehend the true value of life.
December 26th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Stacy & EVD,
Not sure if you remember me or not but I am pretty sure were cousins. I was surfing the internet and came across this web page, you and EVD know way to much about the family to not be relatives.
Well anyway I have been out of town for several years and would like to reconnect with some lost family members. So here is a email address you can reach me at. This is a hell of a way to find your cousin’s aint it. Shoot me a email
havingfunokistyle@gmail.com
December 27th, 2010 at 7:13 am
remorseful? please.. there is a limit to how bad you could get and then expect to be a normal non criminal human being. and I do not think murder of a child, while being a child yourself, could be erased from one’s psyche. I understand he could be more aware of what he did but if he was really changed he would admit the truth. Hate is not the word, i just dont want to see people like this walking around. There is a limit. Be careful people.
December 31st, 2010 at 6:14 am
This story strikes a cord in my heart. While I cannont condone the horfic crime that Eric commited, I cannot help but to feel sorry for him. For years in school I was bullied relentlesly. It was tourture and I often thought of taking my life. When I watched the dateline speical and Eric talked about school being hell, I nearly lost it, It brought tears to my eyes. It does even now. The system failed Eric as it fails many children with special needs (and children in general.) Had bullying been taken more seriesly perhaps Eric would not have killed that poor child. To the ES reletive: I cannot even begin to understand the pain that this all has brought you. The only reason I write this is because i see so many things in myself and my past that remind me of Eric. He could have been so much to this world had he have found the help I have. I hope one day you can find peace, and I will prey for your happiness. Also as you said Eric does not accept mail from those outside his family but if he ever wanted a pen pal i would write to him. He’s not a monster, hes a person that was failed by the system to the point of this crime. -Brian Daugherty
January 20th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
This man was 13 years old when he murdered. 13!! The mother of Derrick should have been but in jail too. For whoever said kids should be able to grow up like you did thats the point, should. Times are way different and for a 4 year old to be walking around by himself? If it was only a couple blocks away why was it too hard for his mother to walk him. When you are 13 you dont think about your actions you just do it. This man needed help and it wasnt received. Eric needed help and sitting in jail for this long is not the help he needed.
April 22nd, 2011 at 12:14 am
The child wanted to walk alone and be a ‘big boy’ They live in a very small town (200 and something people). It was only down the street so she said ok. She probaly blames herself enough. Leave her alone!!
September 29th, 2011 at 6:40 am
I would first like to say, my prayers are with the Robbie family to this day. Eric is a sick, sick individual. I do not care how many excuses any of you would like to throw out there, everyone, mental illness or not, knows what they’re doing and have the ability to control their actions. Eric did not feel any remorse after the murder, but instead decided to “enjoy” little Derrick’s remains, as he did unthinkable things to this helpless four year old. Imagine waking up every morning and knowing that you’re little baby who had barely any time to live a happy life was killed by a 13 year old boy who lived just minutes from your home..well the Robbie family wakes up to that everyday. I can’t express my grief for the family and my heart truly goes out to them. They are by far, some of the strongest human beings i know. Eric should stay locked up for as long as he shall live & I hope someday has to feel the same pain as he gave the Robbie family in 1993 when he took away their pride and joy forever. He was never sorry after he did this horrifying thing and anyone who thinks he is now, is out of their mind. Eric will never be a normal person, ever. This world that we live in gets harder and harder everyday with criminals like him roaming around, he’ll never have to deal with the feeling that he desirably gave to the Robbie family and honestly he doesn’t even deserve to be in jail, Eric Smith should be dead.
November 15th, 2011 at 6:41 am
The Lord said, “There is no other opportunity [for those here]; there is still opportunity for those who are alive.“ I asked Him, “Lord, why is my great-grandmother here? I don’t know if she ever knew you. Why is she here in hell, Lord?“ He replied, “Daughter, she is here because she failed to forgive…Daughter, he who does not forgive, neither will I forgive him.“
I asked, “Lord, but You do forgive, and You are merciful.” And He answered, “Yes, Daughter, but it is necessary to forgive, because they have not forgiven many people, and that is why many people are in this place, because they failed to forgive…Go and tell humanity that it is time to forgive, and especially My people, for many of My people have not forgiven. Tell them to rid themselves of grudges, of resentment, of that hatred in their hearts, for it is time to forgive! If death were to surprise that person who has failed to forgive, that person may go to hell, for no one can purchase life.” When we left that place, my great grandmother was engulfed in fire and she screamed, “Aaaah,” and began to blaspheme the name of God, she would curse Him; every person in hell blasphemes against God.
January 27th, 2012 at 3:20 am
I find it appalling that anyone would even think let alone publicly say that Derrick’s mother should be blamed. Are you freakin’ kidding me?? Little kids walk down the block to a friend’s house or ride their bikes in the neighborhood all the time in every city in America. It was a safe town until that day. Whoever wrote that you should be ashamed of yourself. As for people picking on Eric’s family I hope they are not. But on this page you had no call to whine about that since no one on this PAGE was doing so. You bring attention to yourself and whine about yourself when a little boy is dead and that little boy’s name is Derrick. So whoever you are making such asinine comments get some therapy before people start to wonder if Eric’s whole famliy is crazy. (You even cast aspersions at your own cousin Stacy who I applaud for defending herself on here, she sounds a lot saner than any of you. If she left home early that is understandable if she was being abused which I believe she was.)
January 27th, 2012 at 3:23 am
As for Eric I’m sorry if this pains his family and I understand if it does. But, he showed classic signs of a future serial killer: Torturing small animals, hiding that fact (both by his own admission), and enjoying killing Derrick (he said he felt better during it.) He is an extremely dangerous individual. Possibly the world was saved from a future horrific killer such as Gacy or Dahmer, due to little Derrick’s unknowing sacrifice. To let Eric out now when little Derrick can never breathe again would be a travesty. And it would endanger anyone Eric crossed paths with. Eric has not gotten more sensitive or remorseful in my opinion - he has only become more cunning, manipulative, and sophisticated. (He has learned which words to say, thanks to therapy.) In other words next time he wouldn’t confess and would not get caught. Please let there be no ‘next time!’