Detroit man who accidentally killed three people pleads guilty but mentally ill to murder charges

DETROIT. A man accused of accidentally killing three people pleaded guilty Wednesday to several counts as part of a plea deal with prosecutors, the Associated Press reported. Dontee Smith, 21, of Detroit, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to second-degree murder, attempted murder and other charges related to the 2022 killing spree.

“Now he is stable. He is competent,” said defender Maria Mannarino. “But at the time he was in the throes of a paranoid-schizophrenic episode. He thought that these people he met on the street wanted to harm him. It’s very sad, tragic all around.”

Smith was initially charged with first degree murder in that case, but the charges were reduced as part of a plea deal. Smith will be eligible for parole after 30 years in prison.

Smith was arrested on August 28, 2022, the same day he carried out his attacks over a period of approximately two hours. Gull came to an end when an an armed bystander fired several shots in Smith after a 76-year-old man walking his dog was shot in Smith. Smith fled the scene and was arrested later that day.