Homicide Defendant Becomes Eligible for Parole after Modified Sentence

By Andrew Michaels - December 16, 2022
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Homicide defendant Eric Charles Smith became eligible for parole on Dec. 16 after a Baltimore City Circuit Court judge modified his sentence in the 27-year-old murder case.

Smith’s motion for modification of sentence was brought before Judge Philip Jackson last month in connection to a double homicide and an attempted murder from 1994.

According to the Baltimore Sun, Smith, who was 16 at the time, was charged as an adult for the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Gregory McGraw and 18-year-old Kevin Green on the 2700 block of E. Monument Street. Smith was also charged with attempted murder for shooting a 22-year-old who was at the scene.

The defendant was convicted and sentenced to three consecutive life sentences plus 20 years in 1995.

On Friday, defense attorney Nancy Forster reiterated her earlier argument that Smith, now 44 years old, has served 28 years of his sentence and “has become a different person” in the process, having no infractions and maintaining his innocence while incarcerated. Defense counsel had previously requested the judge modify Smith’s sentence to life, suspending all but time served.

The prosecutor countered that although the state’s attorney’s office does not approve of Smith’s immediate release, the prosecution agreed to merge Smith’s three life sentences and 20-year sentence to run concurrently, making him eligible for parole.

Judge Jackson granted the defendant’s motion.