January 30th, 2018 by WCBC Radio

The Office of the State’s Attorney for Allegany County, Michael Twigg, State’s Attorney, announced on Tuesday, January 30, that Joshua Smith, 33 of Piedmont, WV, was sentenced in the Allegany County Circuit Court for his role in an armed robbery at the Best Price Market in McCoole on July 30, 2017.  Smith had been convicted in late December of last year following a two day jury trial.  The Honorable Jeffrey Getty, Circuit Court Judge, sentenced Smith to 17 years in the Maryland Department of Corrections, and suspended two years of the sentence.

His codefendant, Justin Smith, entered guilty pleas to two separate counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon for robberies which occurred at Best Price on July 28 and July 30, 2017.  The investigation revealed that he had entered the market both dates, covering his face with bandanas, and took cash from the teller at knife point both times.  The Honorable Judge Jeffrey Getty sentenced Justin Smith to a total sentence of 25 years in the Maryland Department of Corrections, suspending 10 years of the sentence.

Joshua Smith was convicted on charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery and associated crimes.  The investigation revealed he had conspired with Justin Smith to commit the robbery on July 30, 2017, and had aided and abetted Justin Smith in the commission of the crime, having served as a “lookout” during the robbery. 

During Joshua Smith’s two day trial, Justin Smith testified as a witness for the defense that another man, not Joshua Smith, had aided and abetted him during the commission of the July 30 Best Price robbery.  However during cross examination was unable to provide a name for that person, and admitted that Joshua Smith was his closest friend and “partner.”  A jury took less than two hours to return its guilty verdict.

The cases were investigated by the C3I Unit, with assistance from the Maryland State Police, Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and Cumberland City Police.

The cases were prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorneys Erich Bean and Karen Detrick.  Justin Smith was represented by attorney Sean Gallagher.  Joshua Smith was represented by Public Defenders David Schram and James Elliott.