Endicott Man Gets 25 to Life for Murder

An Endicott man is maintaining his innocence even as he is sentenced to the maximum of at least 25 years in prison for murder.

42 year old Nigel Smith was convicted in September in the June 15, 2013 death of Bretnie “Sha” Owens in an attempt to steal money and drugs that went wrong.

Owens was found dead in h is living room the next day by a friend.

Smith was the second man to stand trial but Calvin Bell was acquitted in June.

Smith’s defense said there had been no physical evidence at the scene to connect the Endicott to the scene, but the jury convicted him of felony murder, two counts of robbery and misdemeanor counts of criminal trespass and resisting arrest.

Prosecutor Kevin Dooley said he sought the sentence of 25 years to life given the natural of the killing and Smith’s criminal history.

An appeal is expected.