Paul Gentile Smith was indicted by a grand jury last week on suspicion of nearly decapitating his best friend and then setting his body on fire. Smith and Robert Haugen were best friends, but in October of 1988, Smith stabbed Haugen 18 times, killing him and nearly decapitating him. He then tried to get rid of the body by setting it, and other evidence, on fire. He was not caught after the murder.
In 2007, Smith was arrested for domestic violence and his DNA was linked to some evidence at the murder crime scene 20 years earlier. He was charged with murder, but this week he was charged with the enhancement of torturing the victim. This enhancement could increase the punishment to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Whether you live in Santa Ana, Tustin or Laguna Niguel, if you are charged with murder, call an experienced criminal defense attorney to assist you.
If you want to know more about murder or your own charges, call Orange County criminal defense attorney William Weinberg @ 949.474.8008 in his Irvine office.