Las Vegas Man Sentenced for Murder of Former Little Rascal

KLAS News ^ | 2.24.05

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LuAnne Sorrell, Reporter
Las Vegas Man Sentenced for Murder of Former Little Rascal
Feb 24, 2005, 10:41 PM

Jay R. Smith
Charles Crombie with Jay R. Smith
Photo from Our Gang

Click here to contact Reporter LuAnne Sorrell.

A Las Vegas man convicted of killing a former child actor, who starred in the old "Our Gang" comedies, was given two life sentences.

During the 1920s, Jay R. Smith was known as the freckle face kid in the Our Gang movies. They were better known to TV audiences as the "Little Rascals."

In October of 2002, the 87-year-old's body was found in a remote area of the desert near Apex. Charles Crombie admitted to stabbing Smith three times in Smith's Las Vegas home. Smith had befriended the homeless Crombie, and let him live in his shed.

Thursday, Smith's granddaughter, Darlla Wann, spoke to Crombie at his sentencing in court. "I just wanted to tell you that you had no right to do what you did to my grandpa. All he was trying to do was help you get on your feet and you murdered him," Wann said.

Wann says Crombie not only took Smith away from her family, but all of America. "I hope his ghost haunts you every night you lay in your cell until you die," she continued.

Crombies attorney, Bob Amundson, said the murder was not premeditated. "He stabbed a man three times and he doesn't even remember doing it," Amundson said.

But the prosecution argued the murder was premeditated, pointing to how Crombie stole Smith's car after the murder using it to dump Smith's body in the desert.

District Court Judge Jackie Glass called the murder senseless and tragic. "It's sad and it's unacceptable and you're going to spend a significant amount of time in the Nevada State Prison," Glass added.

Glass sentenced Crombie to two life sentences. He'll be eligible for parole in 40 years.

A motive for Smith's murder has never been established.

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[dfwgator]

I thought this was going to be about John David Stutts, the guy that shot Buckwheat. And Texxon is there.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I thought they might have finally got the guy who killed Alfalfa.

[Larry Lucido]

Just damn.

[Larry Lucido]

Looks like his freckles had cleared up, for the most part.

[dfwgator]

[Vaquero]

or how about Mickey...you know...Robert Blake...who killed, well you all know.

"dont do the crime if you wont do the time..."

[billorites]

[Txsleuth]

I am going to brag a little here because my mom died two weeks ago, so I am feeling a little nostalgic.

My father was in OUR GANG, he was in the silent movies--
he died in 1979, but I have some pictures of him when he was in the movies--

Someday, when I learn how to post pictures, I might be able to post one here---

Please forgive me, but whenever there is a story about Our Gang, it reminds me of my dad and I loved him a lot and miss him (and now my mom)---

Also, I don't mean to bring anyone down, so sorry if I did--
sleuth

[NorCalRepub]

you didn't, and that is very cool.....after we are gone I don't think many of the youth these days knows a damned thing about the Little Rascals........OTAY......

[Former Proud Canadian]

Buckwheat got shot?? When?? Enquiring minds want to know.

[Radioactive]

Oh yes...the old Little Rascals curse...

Alfalfa...Mickey/Robert Blake..Buckwheat.....Miss Crabtree who was raped by Buckwheat...and now this.

I only hope Darla & Spanky can defeat this curse.....Oh NOOOOOO!....I'm told they are dead too!

[dfwgator]

Ted Koppel: We have just received word that Buckwheat has been shot. Apparently, it happened just moments ago as the legendary performer was leaving 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York. He had just finished making an appearance on "Saturday Night Live", and as he was leaving the building, he was shot by an unknown assailant, or assailants.. details are sketchy at this point. [ grabs earpiece ] Now, I understand that we now have a videotape of the shooting - let's take a look.

[ videotape plays on monitor to Ted's left ]

[ Buckwheat and his entourage exit 30 Rockefeller Plaza amongst a myriad of fans ]

Autograph Seeker: Oh, Mr. Buckwheat, I so love your singing, could I have your autograph..?

Buckwheat: Thank you very much. No autographs, pease, pease.. [ to crowd ] I nub nou! I nub nou! [ stands just outside of his limo ]

Voice in the Crowd: Hey, Mr. Wheat!

Buckwheat: Yes.

[ suddenly, two shots ring out, as Buckwheat staggers and his bodyguards run into the startled crowd to tackle the mysterious assailant - cameras zoom back to see the limo peel away in a mad rush to the hospital. ]

[ cut back to Ted Koppel ]

Ted Koppel: That was the scene just moments ago. To repeat: Buckwheat has been shot. We understand that he has been rushed to a nearby hospital, his condition unknown. We'll bring you more details as the shocking tragedy develops.

[ cut to news graphic featuring still image of Buckwheat being shot ]

Announcer: The Shooting of Buckwheat: America Stunned. Brought to you by Texxon. Life goes on. And Texxon is there.

[UnklGene]

Pinky

[over3Owithabrain]

Ahhh, our illustrious "homeless" - bums, hobos, vagrants, tramps - strike again.

[Lockbar]

I'm going out to the wood shed in my back yard and throw out the guy that is living there right now!

I'll post another message in a few minutes and let you know how it turns out.

[Former Proud Canadian]

Very funny. What really happened to Buckwheat?

[ambrose]

Spanky did okay. He apparently lived a normal life after leaving the show, but dropped dead of a heart attack.

[Lockbar]

"What really happened to Buckwheat?"

Didn't you hear? He became a cereal killer.

[stinkerpot65]

What was your father's name?

Sorry to hear about your loss.