She let him walk one block by himself for the first time. He never made it.
Derrick Robie, 4, was murdered in Savona, New York, on August 2, 1993, by 13-year-old Eric Smith. Smith served nearly 28 years in prison before being paroled in 2022, a decision that remains deeply painful for Derrick's family.
A First Walk Alone
Derrick's mother, Doreen, was occupied that morning with his crying baby brother when Derrick asked to walk the one block to his summer day camp by himself for the first time. She agreed. When she arrived to pick him up later that morning, he hadn't shown up. His body was found in a wooded area near the camp several hours later.
An Investigation Turns to a Local Teenager
Given both Derrick's age and the age of the person ultimately responsible, we won't detail the specifics of what happened to him beyond confirming he died from strangulation and blunt force injuries. Investigators initially assumed an adult stranger was responsible, but their attention turned to 13-year-old Eric Smith, a local boy who came forward claiming to have seen Derrick that morning. Investigators found inconsistencies in his account, and a family friend recalled a detail from the crime scene — smashed banana and spilled Kool-Aid found with Derrick's body — that reminded her of Smith's well-known dislike of bananas. When his family confronted him, Smith confessed.
A Difficult Childhood, Presented at Trial
At his 1994 trial, Smith's defense argued he suffered from a rage disorder rooted in years of relentless bullying, developmental struggles, and a difficult home life; testimony indicated he had experienced abuse within his family. Prosecutors argued that regardless of his background, he understood what he was doing was wrong. Smith was tried as an adult and, after roughly a year, was convicted of second-degree murder by a jury.
Sentencing
He received the maximum sentence then available for a juvenile convicted of murder in New York: nine years to life in prison.
Parole After Nearly 28 Years
Smith was denied parole roughly a dozen times over the following two decades before finally being granted release in October 2021, citing his participation in rehabilitation programs and personal growth during incarceration. He was released from custody on February 1, 2022, and settled in the New York City area. Derrick's parents, Doreen and Dale Robie, publicly opposed his release and have said they've tried not to let it consume their lives, while acknowledging the fear it caused in their community. Smith completed his term of parole supervision in April 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eric Smith still in prison?
No. He was released on parole in February 2022 after nearly 28 years and completed his parole supervision in April 2025.
Did Derrick's family support his release?
No. Doreen and Dale Robie publicly opposed Smith's release at every parole hearing over the decades.
What sentence did Eric Smith receive?
Nine years to life, the maximum available for a juvenile convicted of murder in New York at the time.