Posted on 12/03/2011 11:48:20 AM PST by La Enchiladita
A Hemet man convicted of attempted murder of a police officer was sentenced Friday to four consecutive life sentences.
Nicholas John Smit, 41, was given the maximum sentence by a Riverside County judge for trying to kill Hemet Police Det. Chuck Johnson in a series of attempts on his life over several months.
The sentence ensures Smit will spend the rest of his life in prison. Last month, he was convicted of 11 of the 12 felony charges against him, including attempted murder of a police officer, assembling a booby trap and drug charges.
Beginning in December 2009, Hemet police were targeted in a series of arson and booby-trapping attacks. The last occurred June 28, when a fire was set at a Hemet property and evidence building.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...
Any word on what his motivation might have been? Most of the “attacks” seem pretty lame... and he didn’t succeed even once...
Gang related?
I don't know, but think I recall that Smit is a member of biker gang that was being watched/targeted by law enforcement....
“I don’t know, but think I recall that Smit is a member of biker gang that was being watched/targeted by law enforcement....”
That is what I remember.
Suspicion had originally fallen on the Vagos, because, well, they're a bunch of knuckleheads. Turned out that Smit had no involvement with them at all, and the Vagos had nothing to do with this particular nonsense.
Turned out at the trial that Smit was angry at the detective who had arrested him for growing a bunch of weed at his (Smit's) house, and decided that these booby traps and the HE round into the police station were the way to get even. I don't know for sure, but I would not be at all surprised to learn that Smit was an avid user of his own crop....
Tpyical Hemet lowlife.
Hemet used to be a nice 55+ town.
Now it is Sec. 8 South Central L.A. land.
“Try to kill” a police officer and get 4 life sentences. Actually kill some regular folks and you can get out in 7-10 years with good behavior.
Some animals are more equal than other animals I guess...
The irony is that, had he pled out on the original charge, he would have been released about now. As it is, he'll never get out.
My friend and I were speculating this morning about what lies in Smit's future. As Detective Johnson noted during the sentencing hearing, Smit's passion is to be his own authority. One hopes that God has finally gotten, or will get, his attention sufficiently through this episode and during the years ahead that he'll finally repent and recognize Another, Greater Authority.
Thanks for the additional detail. There sure are some mixed up people in the world....
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
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