Imagine being sentenced to 65 years in prison for a murder you didn’t actually commit. Sounds unbelievable, right? Well, that’s exactly what happened to Lakeith Smith, an 18 year old Alabama teen, who was hit with a harsh prison sentence in 2018 under the state’s accomplice law.

The Case: How It All Went Down

Smith and four other teens were allegedly involved in a burglary when police arrived on the scene. In the chaos, officers opened fire, killing A’Donte Washington, one of Smith’s friends. You’d think the police would be held responsible for the shooting, but instead, Smith was charged with Washington’s murder despite never pulling the trigger.

Why Did Smith Get 65 Years?

Under Alabama’s accomplice law, anyone involved in a felony (like burglary) can be held responsible for any deaththat occurs during the crime even if they didn’t actually kill anyone. That law led to Smith being sentenced to:

• 30 years for murder (even though police fired the fatal shot)

• 35 more years for burglary-related charges

• Total: 65 years behind bars

Trial vs. Plea Deal: Did Smith Get Punished for Fighting His Case?

One major factor in Smith’s harsh sentence is that he chose to go to trial instead of accepting a plea deal. In many cases, prosecutors offer plea bargains to get defendants to admit guilt in exchange for a lighter sentence. When someone goes to trial and loses, judges often hand down much harsher punishments which seems to be what happened here.

Is This Fair? Public Reaction and Legal Debate

Smith’s case has sparked outrage, with many questioning whether the accomplice law is fair especially in cases where police are the ones who cause the death. Critics argue that the law is being used unjustly to punish young people far beyond what’s reasonable.

As legal experts continue debating the fairness of Smith’s sentencing, the case remains a stark example of how laws can have devastating consequences, especially for young offenders.