Alabama Teen Sentenced To 65 Years In Prison For The Death Of His Friend Who Was Killed By Montgomery Police

Yes you are reading that title correctly. 18-year-old Lakeith Smith convicted of felony murder, armed burglary, second-degree sentenced to 65 years behind bars even though he didn't kill anyone. In fact, his friend was the one who was murdered at the hands of Montgomery police.


Back when he was 15, Smith and a group of his friends were stopped by officers who accused them of breaking into two homes in neighborhood. Body cam footage allegedly showed smith's friend, 16-year-old A'Donte Washington, pointing a gun at the officers and died after being shot four times by one of the officers. Unfortunately, there is an accomplice liability law which held him equally responsible for the act that led up to his friend's death.

The officer who killed A'Donte was cleared of all charges, but after rejecting a plea deal which would have given him 25 years in jail, Smith had been handed a 65-years-sentence which many believe is unjust. "The officer shot A'donte, not Lakeith Smith," Smith's attorney, Jennifer Holton, said during the trail. "Lakeith was a 15-year-old child scared to death. He did not participate in the act that caused the death of A'donte. He never shot anybody."

According to reports, C. J. Robinson, chief assistant district attorney said, "We are very pleased with this sentence. Because the sentences are consecutive."