The man federal prosecutors called Baltimore’s “face of violence” was re-sentenced Friday to 80 years behind bars for ordering the firebombing of the home of a community activist who reported drug dealers to police.
It was the second 80-year sentence for Terrence Smith, a 28-year-old Bloods gang leader who orchestrated the January 2005 arson of former Harwood Community Association president Edna McAbier’s home. Smith had appealed his conviction and sentence to the U.S. Fourth Circuit, which remanded the case for re-sentencing. U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz on Friday reinstated his original order.
“She was trying to help people,” Motz said to Smith. “She was trying to help everybody in her neighborhood. This is beyond what civilized society will accept.”
Prosecutors said McAbier survived the attack only because Smith’s codefendants botched the six Molotov cocktails they launched at both sides of her home on the 300 block of East 27th Street. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Copperthite said the gang originally planned to “just shoot her,” after she repeatedly complained to police about their drug activity.
“Looking at Terrence Smith, that is the face of violence in the city of Baltimore,” Copperthite said. “He represents everything that causes neighborhoods to fall apart, that causes people to move.”
McAbier, who has since moved, was present in the courtroom but declined to speak. Smith, who addressed the judge personally in a lengthy speech, said the group never intended to kill her, only scare her.
Smith said he was sorry for the incident, but said McAbier’s “emotional hurt” did not justify an 80-year term. He denied ordering a hit.
“The Bloods don’t have a so-called leader,” he said. “It’s always been majority rule. One person cannot make decisions for other men.”
“I grew up in poverty,” he said later. “Either you were good at basketball or you were good at selling drugs. I grew up in a place where people are condemned to fail.”
Prosecutors said Smith continues to coordinate Baltimore gang activity from his cell in a federal prison in Texas. After the sentencing — which his attorney, Thomas Saunders, said he plans to again appeal — Smith rolled his eyes, calling out to his mother in the back of the court room.
“I’m the example,” he said.
