WHEN ERIC SMITH WAS 13 YEARS OLD, HE COMMITTED AN UNTHINKABLE CRIME - NEARLY THREE DECADES LATER, HE IS OUT ON PAROLE -WHAT'S NEXT FOR HIM?

"48 Hours" Investigates in "Eric Smith: Gambling on a Killer"

Saturday, March 19

Eric Smith spent 28 years behind bars for the 1993 murder of a 4-year-old boy. He was released from prison in February. Is he a changed man? The parents of the murdered child speak with 48 HOURS and contributor Jim Axelrod in their first extensive interview since Smith was released, in "Eric Smith: Gambling on a Killer," airing Saturday, March 19 (10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and streamed on Paramount+.

"We never forget our boy ... because he was, you know, a wonderful child," says Doreen Robie, whose son Derrick was killed by Smith. "And we miss him terribly. ... I wouldn't wish this on anyone."

48 HOURS has been covering the case since 1993, when Smith was charged with killing Derrick Robie. The horrific murder drew national attention because Smith was just 13 years old and Robie just 4. Smith was tried and convicted as an adult. He was sentenced nine years to life. He was eligible for parole starting in 2002, but it wasn't until his 11th appearance before the board that he was granted it. He told the panel he had plans for his future, even a fiancée. Smith was released in February 2022 to live in Queens, N.Y.

Did Smith change in prison? He told CBS affiliate WENY-TV in 2009, "I can live in society and function as any other normal individual."

For the Robie family, however, the pain never goes away.

"Yeah, a lot of people don't know the full gamut of what we go through," says Doreen Robie. "And nor should they. I wouldn't wish this on anyone."

What's next for the Robies? And is it a gamble letting Smith out of prison?

"It's a huge gamble," says John Tunney, who prosecuted Smith's case. "This parole decision is a high-risk enterprise, to be sure."

48 HOURS: "Eric Smith: Gambling on a Killer" is produced by Judy Tygard, Lisa Freed and Chris Young Ritzen. Mead Stone is the producer-editor. Tamara Weitzman is the development producer. Kat Teurfs and Michael Loftus are the associate producers. Mike Baluzy, Greg Kaplan, Doreen Schechter and Gregory F. McLaughlin are the editors. Peter Schweitzer is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Judy Tygard is the executive producer.

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