A former Catonsville High School student who killed an Ethiopian immigrant in what prosecutors called a “hate crime” was sentenced to 35 years in prison Tuesday.
“This is nothing short of a hate crime,” Assistant Baltimore County State?s Attorney Steven Kroll said. “The victim was targeted because the defendant thought he was Hispanic.”
Judge Patrick Stringer sentenced Jeffrey Smith, 17, of the 100 block of Winters Lane, for the 2006 beating death of Ethiopian immigrant Tariku Dembi, 42.
“In his home country, he would have been safer walking the streets than on Winters Lane,” Kroll said. “He was trying to walk to work. [Smith] deserves no sympathy. He is a menace to society. Yes, he is a thug.”
Dembi was on his way to his job at the Wal-Mart store on Route 40 in Catonsville on the night of June 22, 2006 ? but was found unconscious in the 6200 block of Old Frederick Road, officials said.
“I apologize, not because I?m guilty, but because of the pain and suffering you had to go through,” Smith said, turning to Dembi?s family.
Smith?s attorney, Mark Van Bavel, said Smith, who is black, and several friends attempted to rob Dembi because they believed he didn?t speak English and would not report the robbery.
Van Bavel said Smith is “never thuggish” and could be a good student, if given a chance.
He read a letter from Catonsville High math teacher Carla Toomer, who said Smith was “respectful” in her class.
Smith?s mother, Mia, called her son a “very talented child” who never knew his father.
She added her family has already suffered because her son?s older brother was recently murdered.
But Dembi?s family friend, Seifu Ragassa, told the judge how the Ethiopian-American community is mourning the immigrant?s death.
“We?ve lost a brother,” he said. “I know how much the people back in Ethiopia hurt.”
Smith?s co-defendant Jonte Lee, 18, received a suspended sentence after he agreed to testify against Smith, Kroll said.
Co-defendant Jatwan Boston, 17, had his charges dismissed. Prosecutors said they focused on Smith because he threw the fatal blow.
“This is an outrageous case,” Judge Stringer said prior to handing down the sentence. “Three young men surrounded one hard-working man. Jeffrey Smith punched him hard enough to knock him down and fracture his skull. The defendant ran away and never called for help.”
Kroll said prosecutors are still investigating the killing ? and could bring additional charges against those involved.
