Murder Charges, Sentences Reduced for One-Time Death Row Inmate Who Headed Violent Drug-Dealing Gang
Notorious Gang Leader Sees Convictions and Life Sentences Reduced in Plea Deal
The reputed leader of a notorious, violent drug gang that terrorized Liberty City in the 1990s, already taken off death row after a judge found prosecutors committed misconduct, saw his convictions and life sentences reduced Wednesday in a plea deal with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office.
Years of Misconduct by Police and Prosecutors Led to Reduction of Charges
Corey Smith, 52, was facing resentencing on two 2005 death sentences, but defense attorneys Craig Whisenhunt and Allison Miller spent years uncovering misconduct by police and prosecutors, persuading a judge last March to remove two assistant state attorneys from the case.
State Attorney Dropped First-Degree Murder Convictions and Life Sentences
Circuit Judge Andrea Ricker Wolfson had been considering a defense motion to vacate all his convictions, forcing a retrial, a prospect so risky the state attorney determined it was best to drop the first-degree murder convictions and life sentences and have Smith plead guilty to second-degree murder and get 30 years in state prison, having already served more than 24 of those years.
Sentence Will Be Reduced to 60 Years in Federal Prison
After his release from state custody, he still must serve the rest of what is for now a 60-year federal drug trafficking sentence, which would see him released in about 2051 at age 79. But he has a right to a new federal sentencing hearing and that 60-year term could be reduced, attorneys tell NBC6.
Prosecutors Cited Changing Stories from Witnesses and Passage of Time
The plea deal came after the state already waived the death penalty in the case, which was brought back for resentencing in 2017 because the original jury was not unanimous in its death recommendation — a requirement that has since shifted back to allowing non-unanimous death verdicts. In backing off a death sentence, prosecutors cited the hurdles created by the passage of time since the murders and other crimes in the late 1990s, as well as changing stories from surviving key witnesses.
Victim’s Son Delivers Emotional Victim Impact Statement
The son of one of those victims, Angel Wilson — viciously gunned down at age 26 in 1998 — delivered a captivating victim impact statement, addressing Smith directly at times, while also criticizing prosecutors’ misconduct that he said led to a “miscarriage of justice.”
Victim’s Son Calls for Justice and Accountability
“Whether you pulled the trigger yourself or ordered this to be done, it was your organization that took Angel’s life. You are responsible,” Fulton said, turning to Smith. “Do better,” he admonished the state. “Act with ethics first, not ambition. Lead with integrity, not ego. And assure victims remain to the forefront and not your careers.”
Conclusion
The case highlights the importance of ensuring that justice is served, even in the most difficult and complex cases. The reduction of charges and sentences is a significant step towards bringing closure to the victim’s family and holding accountable those responsible for the crimes.
FAQs
* What was the original sentence faced by Corey Smith?
+ Two 2005 death sentences
* What was the outcome of the plea deal?
+ Smith pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a 30-year sentence
* What were the reasons for the reduction of charges and sentences?
+ The state cited the passage of time since the murders and changing stories from surviving key witnesses, as well as the judge’s finding of misconduct by prosecutors
* What was the outcome of the federal sentence?
+ Smith will serve a 60-year federal drug trafficking sentence, which could be reduced at a new federal sentencing hearing
