Alexandria Man Pleads Guilty To Murder Of Grandfather

An Alexandria man pleaded guilty Thursday to first degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of murder in relation to the killing of his grandfather.

Jerry Scott, 84, was killed in his East Reed Avenue residence on July 22, 2018. Prosecutors say Dallas Jermaine Smith, 32, broke into Scott's home and shot Scott while he was in bed. Investigations determined Smith fired six shots at Scott, and three of them struck him. Smith then attacked Scott with a bladed weapon, causing significant upper body injuries. Scott died of his injuries soon afterward.

Prosecutors believe Smith was angry at Scott for evicting him from the home a month earlier. The two had previously lived together.

Smith was not immediately identified as the suspect when police found Scott dead. He was charged in the homicide last fall.

As a convicted felon, Smith could not legally purchase a gun since 2009. Investigations revealed he bought pieces of a 9mm semi-automatic pistol on the web and assembled the gun.

Smith's sentencing hearing is set for May 23. He faces up to life in prison for the murder charge and up to three years for the firearm charge. He is being held at the Alexandria Adult Detention Center awaiting sentencing.

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Image via Emily Leayman/Patch