FLINT Isaiah Smith, 24, will not be eligible for parole until he is 75. That's
according to the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office the plea agreement was
announced earlier this week.
Just this week, Smith pleaded guilty to second degree murder and a number of other charges in the November 2009 shooting death of Nohl O'Connor in Mt. Morris Township.
"It's finally here. It's finally going to be, you know, somewhat of a closure. At least we know now he can't do this to somebody else," said Cassie Baker, the mother of the victim's son.
O'Connor was out running errands with his then 7-year-old son Tyler. The pair
returned home about 2 that afternoon and O'Connor found Smith in his home. Investigators believe Smith shot O'Connor with his own pistol after a brief struggle.
Tyler was waiting in the car when he heard the gunshots, and went inside the home where he found his father wounded and motionless. "He locked the doors, said 'do not unlock the doors for anybody,'" he said.
Tyler used his dad's cell phone to called 911 for help.
"His phone's always on his hip, this side of his hip. So I grab his phone and I dial 911," Tyler said.
Tyler, a brave little boy that day and in the time since, is now 9 years old and in the third grade. He was all set to take the stand during Smith's trial.
"That was Wednesday morning the guy said he was guilty so I didn't have to go," Tyler said.
Now, he's trying to figure out if he'll speak in court at Smith's sentencing next month. He has a lot to say and some questions he wants answered, but Tyler says he is happy Smith is going to prison.
"I'm really mad that that guy did it and ruined my life," Tyler said. "That was the best dad I ever had."
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