San Carlos Man Could Spend 8 Years in Prison

A former San Mateo County Sheriff’s deputy convicted of severely beating a romantic rival will be evaluated by mental health experts before receiving a prison sentence, said San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

After a nine-day trial, a jury on Nov. 6 found Colin Troy Smith, 43, of San Carlos, guilty of felony assault causing great bodily injury, witness intimidation and misdemeanor violation of a restraining order, prosecutors said.

Wagstaffe said San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Leland Davis felt he needed more information pertaining to Smith’s mental state and continued the case for three months pending a 90-day diagnostic report. During that time, Wagstaffe said Smith would be under evaluation at San Quentin State Prison where a mental health team would evaluate him.

Prosecutors said Smith was on duty when he texted his ex-girlfriend on Aug. 17, 2013, and then drove his patrol car while in uniform through Redwood City looking for her at bars.

Prosecutors said Smith and his ex-girlfriend ended their relationship three months prior.

Smith saw his ex talking to another former boyfriend and Smith demanded to know whether she had sex with him and warned them that he “better not be with her” when he got off duty, prosecutors said.

When the defendant got off duty at 7 a.m., prosecutors said he went to his ex’s home, threatened to kick down the door, and pushed his way into her home, demanding to know where the former boyfriend was. Smith found him hiding in the bathroom and then proceeded to severely beat him, breaking the man’s eye orbit and nose, prosecutors said.

Several months later, on Dec. 4, 2013, prosecutors said Smith approached his ex-girlfriend as she was sitting in her car and yelled at her, calling her a “whore,” in violation of a court-ordered restraining order.

Smith also told her not to call police, prosecutors said. She called her friend first and then police.

Smith is scheduled to appear in court again on April 17 at 8:30 a.m. for receipt of the mental health report and sentencing.

Wagstaffe said he is facing up to eight years in prison.

--Bay City News