Eric Smith (murderer)

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Eric M. Smith (born January 22, 1980) is an American murderer, incarcerated for the murder, sexual abuse and mutilation of four-year-old Derrick Robie on August 2, 1993, in Savona, New York. According to court documents, Smith, a loner, was often tormented by bullies for his large, protruding ears, thick glasses, and freckles. The murder case made national headlines, largely due to the young age of the killer and victim. At the time, Smith was the youngest person to have ever been charged with murder.

While in jail, Smith wrote an apology letter to Robie's family and he read it on public television. Taken from a 48 hours Mystery episode: "I know my actions have caused a terrible loss in the Robie family, and for that, I am truly sorry. I've tried to think as much as possible about what Derrick will never experience: his 16th birthday, Christmas, anytime, owning his own house, graduating, going to college, getting married, his first child. If I could go back in time, I would switch places with Derrick and endure all the pain I've caused him. If it meant that he would go on living, I'd switch places, but I can't." Smith was denied parole a third time in 2006; his next parole hearing is scheduled for June 2008. He was held in a juvenile facility for several years. In 2001, he was transferred to the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York, a maximum security prison.