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An illustration of a criminal caught. Author; Efes.

10 Disturbing Facts About Murderer Eric Smith

Born on 22^nd January 1980, Eric M. Smith is an American man who did the unthinkable when he was thirteen years old. He tortured and murdered Derrick Joseph Robie, who was a four-year-old child. The murder of Derrick Joseph took place in Steuben County, New York, on 2^nd August 1993.

On that fateful day, Eric was riding his bike to summer camp at a local park day camp. At the same time, 4-year-old Derrick was on his own heading to the same summer camp as Eric Smith. Smith took this opportunity to lure Derrick after he spotted him.

Eric took Derrick to a nearby wooded area where he strangled him, and dropped a large rock on his head. He also raped Derrick using a small stick and completed his heinous act by pouring a flavored drink mix into his open wounds. Derrick never arrived at the summer camp with a search around leading to the discovery of his body.

Eric confessed his actions to his parents which led to his arrest. He was convicted of second-degree murder in 1994 and got a maximum term in prison. However, he was paroled in October 2021 after 27 years in jail and several attempts of seeking parole.

Here are the 10 Disturbing Facts About Murderer Eric Smith:

1. Eric Smith Committed a Murder at the Age of 13

Eric M. Smith was born on 22^nd January 1980 in Steuben County, New York City, the United States of America. His life was good as he lived with his family until when he was thirteen years old.

At the age of 13, he committed a gruesome murder that shocked several people around his hood and the United States of America. Eric Smith tortured and murdered a four-year-old child, Derrick Robie.

2. His Victim was an Innocent 4-year-old who was Heading to Summer Camp

Children at a summer camp. Image by Sasin Tipchai from

On 2^nd August 1993, the residents of Steuben County were having a summer camp in a local park. Several children from the locality were heading out to the local park to enjoy their day with various activities.

Eric Smith who was 13 years old at that time, rode on his bike heading to the summer camp. However, as he was on his way, he spotted 4-year-old Derrick Robie heading to the summer camp alone.

Eric Smith decided to lure Derrick Robie to a nearby wooded area where the unimaginable took place. Derrick was brutally murdered by the 13 years old boy.

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3. Eric Tortured and Murdered Derrick by Strangling and Dropping a Large Rock on Derrick鈥檚 Head

After luring Derrick Robie to the wooded area, Eric Smith committed a heinous act that no one thought a young teenager could have. First, Eric Smith tortured Derrick Robie before taking his life in an inhumane way.

Eric Smith strangled Derrick immediately after they got to the wooded area. He later dropped a large rock on the head of the young boy. Eric went ahead and raped the victim using a small stick.

He then poured a flavored drink mix Derrick had into his open wounds. Thorough investigations were carried out on the body of Derrick Robie with the cause of death being revealed to be caused by blunt trauma to the head with contributing asphyxia.

4. Smith Confessed to Killing Derrick after 5 Days

A person in a dark interrogation room. Author; Martin Lope.

Later that day at around 11:00 a.m., Doreen, Robie鈥檚 mother went to the local park to pick up her son. However, she was shocked to be informed that Derrick never arrived. Four hours later, his body was found in the location where Eric Smith had killed him.

The murderer was not identified immediately as it took some days for Eric to come out clean and confess to his crime. On 8^th August 1993, Eric Smith confessed to his mother that he had killed Derrick. His family informed the authorities that night and he got arrested. This murder case got a national headline due to the age of the killer and his victim.

5. Eric was Subjected to Intense Medical Examination to Unveil the Cause of his Act

After his arrest and placement in police custody, the investigators had to get more knowledge of the intention and what drove Eric Smith to commit the heinous act. He was subjected to extensive medical examinations from specialists on both sides. His brain function and hormone levels were examined thoroughly. However, nothing explained why he had such violent behavior toward the young child.

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6. Torment on his Appearances made Smith a Loner which Might have Contributed to his Behaviour

A child sitting alone and sad. Author; Myriams.

The medical assessment done on Eric Smith never revealed what might have triggered him to kill Derrick Robie. However, there was a significant revelation on what might have made Eric commit the murder.

Some court documents revealed that Eric Smith was a loner while at school. He was tormented by bullies due to his physical appearance. He was targeted and persecuted for his protruding low-set ears, red hair, freckles, and thick glasses.

7. Investigators Revealed Eric had 鈥楨njoyed鈥� Killing Derrick

During the hearing of the murder case, investigators revealed that Eric Smith 鈥榚njoyed鈥� killing Derrick due to the evidence from the crime scene. Investigator Smith revealed that Derrick had removed the sneakers of boy and placed them beside his body.

Throughout the investigation, the word 鈥渆njoy鈥� would crop up repeatedly. The first time was four days after the murder when Smith entered the police command center to see if he could assist in the investigation. 鈥淸He] totally enjoyed it. Totally enjoyed it. Didn鈥檛 want it to end.鈥� Investigator John had stated.

8. Eric was Diagnosed with an Intermittent Explosive Disorder

A person illustrating a behavioral disorder. Author; Engin.

All the medical examinations done on Eric Smith never revealed what might have triggered him to kill over the 4 years old. However, a defense psychiatrist made a testament on what Eric was suffering from.

The psychiatrist testified that Eric Smith was diagnosed with Intermittent Explosive disorder. This is a mental condition that causes violent and unpredictable behaviors. However, the prosecution鈥檚 expert argued that it was rare to find such a condition at the age of Eric Smith.

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9. Smith Wrote an Apology Letter Regretting What He Had Taken Away from Derrick

On 16^th August 1994, Eric Smith was convicted of second-degree murder. This earned him a sentence to the maximum term then available for juvenile murderers, which was a minimum of nine years to life in prison.

While behind bars, Eric Smith wrote an apology letter to the family of Derrick Robie. In the apology letter which he read out on public television spoke about what he had taken away from the young boy.

鈥淚 recognize that my actions have resulted in a terrible loss for the Robie family, and I sincerely apologize. I鈥檝e tried to think about everything Derrick will never have: his 16^th birthday, Christmas, anytime, owning his own house, graduating, going to college, getting married, and having his first child. If I could go back in time, I would take Derrick鈥檚 place and bear all of the pain I鈥檝e caused him. I鈥檇 switch places if it meant he鈥檇 keep living, but I can鈥檛.鈥� The apology stated.

10. He was Denied Parole Ten Times from 2002 to 2020

Eric Smith was in a juvenile facility for three years before being transferred to an open prison for young adults. He was later transferred to four more facilities before he was paroled.

During his years of conviction, Eric Smith tried to get his freedom back through parole. However, he was denied parole ten times between 2002 and January 2020.

In 2012, there was the worry of public safety concerns and opposition from Robie鈥檚 parents which led to his parole application being denied. However, he pleaded that he could relocate from Savona and go to a shelter. He was later granted parole in October 2021 after 21 years of incarceration.

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