A Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to decades in prison for killing his stepfather during an argument over his sister’s houseguest.
The Crime
Christian Smith, 28, was found guilty in January by a jury of murder in the first degree. The victim, 43-year-old Dennis McKenzie, Jr., was fatally shot on October 9, 2021, at the family home in Woolwich, a small township in the Philadelphia metro area.
The incident occurred while Smith was temporarily staying with his mother and stepfather. Prosecutors said the argument began over offensive comments Smith made about the sexuality of his sister’s LGBTQ houseguest.
The Shooting
During the confrontation, Smith reportedly used an anti-LGBTQ slur. McKenzie, frustrated by Smith’s behaviour, threw a punch at him. Smith then pulled out a Glock 19 9mm handgun from his waistband, held it over his mother, and shot McKenzie four times—once in the face and three times in the back.
After the shooting, Smith disassembled the gun and recorded himself saying, “That’s what he gets.”
Trial and Defense
During the trial, Smith’s defense argued that the shooting happened during a struggle over the gun, claiming some shots were accidental before he gained control of the weapon.
Prosecutors rejected this explanation, saying the evidence did not match Smith’s story. First Assistant Prosecutor Dana Anton explained, “He took the gun out from behind him, reached over her, and fired three times. You can’t accidentally shoot somebody three times.”
The jury agreed with the prosecution and found Smith guilty.
Sentence
This week, Gloucester County Superior Court Judge William Ziegler sentenced Smith to 65 years in prison. He will be eligible for parole only after serving at least 85% of his sentence.
Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns said, “This sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s violent actions and ensures he will be held accountable for taking a life.”
