Richmond ex-cop fired and charged with assault after pummeling man with taser over 40 times.
Published 2023-06-08
Eric Smith Jr., 28, faces one count of felony assault with a deadly weapon due to an incident that happened while Officer Smith Jr. was on duty. Smith Jr. is charged with further enhancements for inflicting great bodily injury as well as for the use of a deadly and dangerous weapon.
Statement from Smith's attorney:
"Eric Smith is a brilliant police officer and a great young man. He has taken more guns off the street than the entire department combined thus saving countless lives. It isn’t easy dealing with the violent criminal element these days. They have no respect for the law and too often have been getting a free pass, which only increases the vigor of their assaults against the public and police officers. The suspect was likely armed with one pistol which he discarded. It was entirely reasonable for young Ofc. Smith to believe he might have another."