Local convicted child-killer says he now understands impact of his actions

Posted at: 05/30/2012 10:00 PM | Updated at: 05/30/2012 10:14 PM

News10NBC has obtained the transcript from a parole hearing of convicted child killer Eric Smith.

Smith was denied parole for the fifth time -- just two weeks ago.

Smith was just 13 years old when he killed 4-year-old Derrick Robie by strangling him and hitting him with a rock in Savona, NY.

He was sentenced to 9 years to life in prison in 1994 and denied parole for the first time in 2002.

In his most recent hearing, Smith said he knows now the impact of what he did.

He said of Robie, "He was there, he was vulnerable. I knew at the time that I could overpower him."

He went on to say, "I realize that I took a little boy who deserved to live in every possible way, shape and form whether he grew up to experience a lot of bad or a lot of good, he still should have had that right to do that and I took that away.”

Smith's parole was denied again this year due to a concern for public safety.

His next chance for parole will be April 2014.

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