REBECCA MAUREEN SMITH | Deadly Wives: Shot & Killed Her Husband, Michael Smith, And Left His Body In A Ditch | $200K Life Insurance | Sentenced To 60 Years | Autographed Letter, Signed

Rebecca M. Smith. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Metroplex, MI. October 30, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED.

Rebecca Maureen Smith was convicted of second-degree murder for the shooting death of her husband, Michael Lee Smith. The case dates back to December 2002 when Michael’s body was discovered in a ditch along Oakhill Road in Springfield Township, Michigan. He had been shot twice and was found wearing only a Detroit Tigers t-shirt and his wedding band. An autopsy confirmed that he died from gunshot wounds.

It was determined by Michael’s autopsy that he died sometime between December 9-19, and was found about ten days later. It also was determined that Michael had been shot twice in the heart, and once in the abdomen, and suffered head trauma. This wasn’t all, Michael had also been frozen before being dumped on the side of the road.

Circumstances Leading to the Murder Charge

Initially, Rebecca claimed that she had dropped Michael off at a bus station so he could travel to Florida for rehabilitation for alcoholism. However, this story unraveled as investigators found bloodstains linked to Michael in their home, specifically between the floorboards of a closet. This evidence contradicted her account and raised suspicions about her involvement in his death.

In November 2002, prior to the discovery of Michael’s body, Rebecca allegedly expressed a desire to harm him to a friend, stating she wanted to borrow a gun because she “wanted to kill the victim.” This statement further implicated her in the crime.

Trial and Conviction

Rebecca was arrested in May 2007 after years of investigation into Michael’s death. She faced charges including open murder, which encompasses both first-degree and second-degree murder. During her trial, the prosecution presented circumstantial evidence but argued it was strong enough to support a conviction. On November 6, 2007, she was found guilty of second-degree murder.

Sentencing Details

At sentencing, Oakland County Circuit Judge Colleen O’Brien exceeded the minimum sentencing guidelines due to Rebecca’s actions following the murder. Initially sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison, she appealed this sentence on grounds that there were errors in how offense variables were scored during sentencing. In August 2024, an appeals court affirmed her conviction but remanded for resentencing due to these scoring errors.

On October 31, 2024, Rebecca was resentenced by Judge O’Brien to 25 to 60 years in prison with credit for time served (991 days). Her new minimum sentence reflects recalculated guidelines based on the appellate court’s findings regarding how her actions post-murder were evaluated.

Conclusion

The case of Rebecca Smith illustrates complex issues surrounding domestic violence and legal proceedings related to homicide cases. Her conviction highlights how circumstantial evidence can lead to serious charges when combined with behavioral indicators suggesting intent or motive.

VIDEO: Who Killed Michael Smith? | Snapped Highlights | Oxygen | https://youtu.be/wBcPpdWH2dw

Archiving Protocol:

• Handled with White Gloves ab initio

• Photo Pages/Sheet Protectors: Heavyweight Clear Sheet Protectors, Acid Free & Archival Safe, 8.5 × 11, Top Load

• White Backing Board – Acid Free

Shipping/Packaging: Rigid Mailer 9.5 × 12.5. White, self-seal, stay-flat, Kraft cardboard, no bend. Each rigid mailer is made of heavy cardboard, which has strong resistance to bending and tearing. Thicker that the USPS mailers. Shipping cost never more than it absolutely has to be to get it from me to you.