Watch the full episode "Eric Smith: Gambling on a Killer": kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rsuYhJClsLeUiJ8.html

"I want to get married, raise a family and hold down a job". All the things that Derrick never got to do. Because of him.

“Smith says he wants to counsel children.” KEEP THIS MAN AWAY FROM CHILDREN AT ALL COSTS.

The worst part is he went for a defensless 4 year old instead of the guys that bullied him

I don't think that a kid who grew up in prison is exactly going to become an amazing member of society or be capable of living a normal life. He's probably more dangerous now compared to when he went to prison.

Here's my concern. When he was ask why he did it he said "I saw a blonde hair boy and just wanted to hurt him" meaning he killed because of a inner emotion/urge and he was only a kid. He's been in jail for 27 years, Life is much different and way more stressful. So what's gonna happen when he gets overwhelmed with that feeling or urge again ? Scary thought.

you can just see in those parent’s faces that things were never the same after what happened

I love how it took until this guy was almost 30 for the psychologists to start seeing compassion in him. How is that a good sign that he should be let out? This was not caused by bullying, he just naturally lacks empathy and is dangerous.

In the meantime there are thousands in prison who did less serious crimes who are still not paroled, while this killer gets out after 28 years for killing a toddler. Who would want to marry him and have children? Only someone as twisted as he.

He wants to get married, raise a family, and live the American dream. I'm sure Derrick Robies' parents would have loved to have seen him grow up and follow his dreams.

That boy was buried in his baseball uniform. That alone almost made me tear up.

Schools are not intervening in bullying incidents. They just brush them aside. As a former primary student, teacher, and police officer I saw this for years.

That guy grew up in prison I doubt it made him a better person, and the world has changed so much since he went in

I cannot imagine how scared Derrick must have been. It must have been so painful. A innocent four year old who never did anything to anyone. I don't understand how anyone could do this. Derrick never got to grow up and have a family of his own. he didn't even get to kindergarten. This is sick. I feel so horrible for him. He was so little. he was just walking. Rest in peace Derrick, I'm so sorry.

“He was picked on as a child.” It makes total sense that he’d take it out on a four year old instead of growing some balls and giving that energy to his bullies.

As a reminder, children who are abused tend to go after those smaller than them. Animals, smaller children. If you notice a child having aggression towards those who are less defenseless, its a sign they need a safer environment, compassion, and extensive help.

The fact the news channel called him “freckled face” is insane

Almost 30 years out of society; he has no clue how to live in our world having been put there as a *kid* . He better be on a strict probation for years to come to prove himself. He's lived with murderers, etc....his mind will have no idea how to function on this side of the fence. He needs to be watched constantly.

My older brother was 17 when I was born, and growing up, I can remember him never letting me out of his sight. He was always so protective of me, and still is to this very day.

The child not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth. Truly tragic on all fronts.

As a sibling of a 4 year old, tears are rolling down my face while typing this. I would die for my little brother, no matter how mean I seem towards him. He's my life, and I want him to grow up at his own pace unlike I did, since i got exposed to many truths of the world so i would know how to avoid it, and i'm glad I did, so i know how to protect my brother, the meaning i continue my life as a depressed child. It just boils my blood for some reason that he wants to have a future when he took away someone's.

A parent should never have to leave the world after their child. It’s awful

That empty look in his eyes since childhood is still present in him. God help anyone who crosses his path

Words are only air and cheap. He wants to get a job, get married, raise a family! How nice for him! How unfortunate for Derrick, that Derrick can't get a job, get married, raise a family, but Derrick's killer can. How sweet for Eric & his family!

I was picked on when I was a kid, too. Didn’t turn me into a killer. Made me want to do something to prevent others from suffering as I did. I became a teacher, and I know I helped a lot of kids. There’s something much deeper in Smith’s psychology that made him do what he did.

“Counsel kids that have been bullied...” Interesting statement from him. Maybe he has changed, but I wouldn’t want my kid to take advice from someone who brutally murdered an innocent 4 year old because he was bullied.

He has been in jail since a child. He is probably even colder than when he murdered that poor child. The American jail system is not meant for rehabilitation and most likely he is been conditioned to be cold and calculated even more so. He won’t know how to interact with women, society, etc. All he knows is prison. It will be interesting to hear about him five more years from now.

Look at his affect!! Glib, totally devoid of feeling. Oh, boy, this guy is still dangerous.

This is why bullying needs to be taken seriously.

Losing a child is the WORST experience for anybody to go through. It's the roughest news anyone can get. I've seen family self destruct in response. It's some dark and painful stuff.

Bullied? I was bullied too as a kid, viciously, and it never, EVER occurred to me for a second to beat a toddler to death with a rock then sexually abuse their body. This murderer needs treatment in a facility for the rest of his life, not to be set free to roam around and possibly ruin another family’s happiness. RIP Derrick, you were an angel. ❤️

Disturbing decision to parole an individual like this. He should be required to wear an ankle bracelet the rest of his life while he is amongst us. The public has a right to know where he is at all times.

If everyone that's ever been bullied got to use that as an excuse to behave violently, it would be full chaos 24/7. We all have something we can point to and claim to be a victim, or we can point to it and declare that we are a survivor. Which are you, a victim or a survivor?

Stable people do not beat someone to death with a rock. The man needs life-long supervision.

As someone who was bullied I would never resort to physically harming someone, he needs help.

At 13 you know killing is wrong something is off with this person

The brutality of the killing and the fact he wanted to be involved with the case shows how sick he is. I don't think you can rehabilitate someone like that. He would have been on his way to being a serial killer had they not imprisoned him, let's hope he doesn't pick up where he left off. He should have never been released

“Smith wants to council kids” .. don’t let him anywhere near a kid 🤦🏽‍♂️

This is terrifying. I grew up always saying “this’ll never happen to me” and getting annoyed whenever my family would tell me to be careful at least five times before I walked out the door. I really only began to understand when my 5 year old sister was born. To think that Derrick was only 4 when he was killed is anxiety-inducing because I love my sister with all my heart and couldn’t even begin to explain how much I care for her and her safety. At any moment, someone could decide to make an attempt on a life. Cherish those who you consider close to you with every ounce of love you can muster and never let them go.

"he's a man now" "he was bullied" hmmm... i was bullied too, and so were a large portion of my friends. some were boys. some were even boys with red hair and freckles. none of us ever killed a random 4 year old for the kick of it. he may not deserve life in prison, but he does need permanent supervision and residence in a mental health facility. this man and his impulses are a danger to kids.

He shouldn't be able to walk free

I am sorry to Mr and Mrs Robie that you have to live everyday knowing he is free and your child will never come home. My heart goes out to you.

I was ruthlessly bullied through my whole school years but I've never thought of hurting people I just seeked for justice

There was a line in one of the Friday the 13th movies were a psychologist said..."when I looked into that boy's eyes I saw pure evil"

Look up James St James..Dude killed his whole family in the 60s as a 15 year old, got off on an insanity plea 5 years later, changed his name, and became a college professor .

I just hope we never hear the name “Eric Smith” uttered on the news ever again. I just hope that he’s actually changed, that he lives a quiet life, that he doesn’t hurt again. If we’re convinced the justice system works, this is going to be the test of that.

Mr. Robie was my Digital Media Arts teacher. He is the kindest hearted, most patient person I've ever come across. He always hated the hearings that were held every so often, and it sucks that now he has to deal with this man being let free. I hope you're still in good spirits after all this, Mr. Robie. Just know that all of your students, former and current, still love you!

i have a four year old brother and it’s crazy to think someone would do that to him

This is why people need non judgmental mental health care. Sadly he needed healthy anger releases, and ways to express his frustrations. Was anything ever done to any of the bullies. It obviously had to be bad to drive such a young kid to do such acts.

My heart goes out to the parents of the murdered child. Just heartbreaking to know what they endure every day.

He needs to be carefully and closely monitored for the rest of his life. He is older, bigger and probably meaner now after being in a controlled non-social environment.

Im 36 now. I never murdered a child. But I damn well know, what he means, when he says, that he is not the same "person" anymore. Not even remotely I might add. We change our whole lives. Character changes. Ideas change. Behavior changes. Personality changes. What really matters is, if a trauma is resolved or not. Its always the traumas.

I myself am a mother and I love my son more than anything in this world but I still would NEVER understand or feel normal or agreeable to a mother saying "I love you" and kissing the car windows and comforting a child who so brutally took the life of a defenceless and innocent child!!

being "bullied" does not give you an excuse to take a life. I'm sure that 4 year old Derrick never bullied anyone.

He wants to help children that have been bullied. Man, that dude doesn't need to be around any children.

Although kid's a killer but CBS News shouldn't have mocked this kid for his freckles. come on now, that's low.

This is just a horror story that cannot be matched. God forgive us all.

What person in their right mind would let him around a child to counsel?!

You can see the pain in the grandpa’s eyes. In Derrick’s mother’s eyes. In his father’s eyes. They all lost something they can NEVER get back.

Strategic investment is important..

So unfair to Derrick’s family. No remorse for lack of impulse control, how do you fix that, his grand father was right. His own persecution is not an excuse for this heinous crime and families loss

Imagine raising a family & telling your kids you murdered a 4 year old. Hes delusional to think someone would trust him after murdering an innocent child.

He can say whatever he wants to the parole board, it doesn’t mean he’s changed or is a better person.I guess time will tell.

That’s scary letting him out . Watch your backs

I had a brother murdered and the suspect only got 5 years now he’s free how are people getting life when others don’t ?

I was bullied growing up, being a redhead. I never hurt anyone. But the thing is, bullying is wrong and that trauma stays with you all your life. Schools need to stop turning a blind eye to bullying. They know which kids are bullied and they do nothing to protect and educate the bullies. This is why this stuff happens. Please pay attention to the bullies and stand up for the unprotected.

I really REALLY hope he continues court ordered therapy and they track him. This is one of the most cruel murders I've ever heard of. I don't think people know how extreme this kids actions were. They were really bad. I hope everyone reads about the case to understand how dangerous this kid was. There are few other cases I can think of where Life made sense at such a young age.

Sometimes a left out mental health condition can develop into something horrible.

HE STILL BLAMES OTHERS for his actions....

He has the exact same cold, empty look in his eyes as he did at 13.

The strain in the victims mother's voice is heartbreaking. "I mean to let him out after so many years... I guess that's fine for him and his family..."

It's like there are no laws. What age is legally a child? The courts decide when to void the established laws when it's convenient. Can a child molester declare the 13-year-old he raped is an adult?

He did unspeakable things to that little child. Don’t let him near children.

A 13year old killing a 4 year old baby? I’m 33 and I remember very well my temperament as a 13year old. This boy knew what he was doing and the fact they thought it was an adult shows the excessive force he did to this baby. He should not be on the streets, Lord only know what he’ll do now that he’s out! He needs rehabilitation!!

I know everyone’s not the same, but even I was bullied, and pursued as a black kid in a hillbilly town, but I never thought to hurt another child. My mom ran a daycare in our house growing up. My instincts were to protect kids. It’s just sad

The dead doesn't get a second chance neither should he.

This kid had mental issues when he went to prison. Twenty eight years behind bars has not made him any healthier mentally. Prison doesn't make you better, only bitter...He will face huge obstacles on the outside and will most likely be unable to deal with being an adult on the outside.

I was bullied heavy as a kid. Only difference. I protected kids like me and went straight for the bullies only. Thanks for the likes y'all 🙌

He is saying all the things that would impress the parole board. Married, kids, counsellor. "Living the American dream" must have clinched it. I think this is a wrong decision for everyone.

Adult crime, adult time. Something is really wrong with this guy.

I didn't realize he was ever getting out. I was 8 or 9 when this happened, and I watched it all unfold on the news in detail. 30 some odd years later and 3 kids of my own I still can't shake it. I always think about the last thing that little boy said to his momma, and the horrific things that Eric did to him. I still cry when I think about it.

This is extremely disturbing, I was 14 once and knew exactly what I was doing and why I was doing it. Never did it ever cross my mind to harm someone. No excuses, Derrick never got to raise a family or pursue the “American Dream”, once again our justice system has failed a grieving family. No one should ever have to endure their pain.

He’s been in prison of course he’s not a danger to society until he gets out.

He gets to walk out of jail but his victim doesn't get to walk out of his grave, now does he? I can never ever wrap my head around when somebody who ended someone else's life is allowed not only to continue their own but also to be free to live out the rest of it when their victim can't.

He’s not a victim. When you take a kids life even if you’re a kid yourself and it wasn’t in self defense, then you’re not a victim with what lead you to do it.

To not only lose your child but to lose him in such a way. Awful. No parent should ever have to endure this.

My heart is with the parents of that sweet little boy. What a nightmare for them and their sweet son.

Bullying. You'll always be finding bullying behind those stories. And it will never stop.

This whole story is sad. Sad for both families. Especially for Derrick Robie family. The emotional trauma that having their four year old child taken from them so brutally, is just unspeakable. Smith’s family was able to see him become an adult. But the emotional trauma too, knowing that their kid killed someone at such a young age.

It was particularly disgusting when he started to mention all the plans he had for his future like getting married and living our "the American dream". Yeah, he snuffed some little boys dream years ago.

That poor boy. He looked so happy, too. Rest In Peace, Derrick.

I watched this with my grandma back in the early 2000's. Crazy

Imagine wondering if a child murderer is going to be a "success story" in the future.

Only a parent who has lost a child truly knows this kind of pain.

I feel mixed feelings about this. He served a lot of time, he seems remorseful, but at the same time : would you want him living next to your family ? Would you let your daughter date him? I’m sure his life will be very much affected as he’s so well known and didn’t get anonymity like the boys from London who murdered the toddler … Edit : Edit: the boys from Liverpool (not London my mistake) we’re two young boys who murdered a toddler in a brutal, heinous way after abducting him from a mall: Venables and Thompson. They were released in their 20s and given anonymity thar was protected by the court , a lot of people were against this because it meant they could more easily present a threat to society but the court believed they’d be murdered if their identity was revealed. One of them eventually ended up back in prison for child pornography charges, but the other didn’t and nobody knows his whereabouts. In this case: he gets none. My point in dying that is that he WILL suffer the consequences for the rest of his life simply by being known as a child murderer and having a very distinct look to him. I hope they just keep a very close eye on him and he gets continued therapy and monitoring .

I’m from Wayne, NY. About 15 min from Savona. And I remember as a kid my dad telling me about what happened after he stopped and talked with a man for a minute at work. It was the father of the boy who was killed. I had no idea what he was talking about and didn’t think much about it until recently seeing this. Crazy

the problem is that he seems to think that society will forgive and forget. When reality catches up with him and he understands that no woman will be interested in him, and he will be unable to hold a job because noone will hire him, he will return to his old ways and someone will get hurt again.

So tragic. Two families will never be the same again, one beautiful child gone forever.💔

I cant believe this guys been released. My heart breaks for Derricks family.

Im glad hes getting a chance. He doesnt deserve to be in prison his entire life for a mistake he made as a child.