Elderly shooter handed life sentence aged 71 after killing 3 at church potluck

07 May 2023 , 20:20

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Robert Findlay Smith was sentenced to life in prison after he killed three people (Image: AP)

A 71-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing three people at a church potluck dinner.

Robert Findlay Smith pleaded guilty to capital murder and waived his right to appeal after the "senseless, evil act of murder".

And to this day, no-one knows why the elderly man did what he did.

Linda Rainey lost her husband Walter 'Bart' Rainey, 84, that night. She said: "I relive the night of June 16 over and over and over, and I probably always will. My heart tells me the shooter will also relive that night over and over."

She continued, saying: "It was such a senseless, evil act of murder where three people were shot. This, after earlier, [they] had offered the hand of friendship and to sit at our table and dine with us."

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Smith entered his plea on Tuesday, May 2, before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Kandice Pickett after the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office consulted with the victim's families before offering him a plea deal earlier this month.

Walter 'Bart' Rainey, 84, with his wife Linda, was one of three seniors fatally shot (Facebook)

Smith was indicted over the shooting which took place on June 16, 2022, where he shot and killed 'Bart', 84, of Irondale; Sarah Yeager, 75, of Pelham; and Jane Pounds, 84, of Hoover.

The victims were attending a potluck dinner at St Stephen's Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, a community which lies just outside of Birmingham, Alabama.

Smith was said to be sitting alone, according to the Reverand Doug Carpenter who founded the church in 1972 and retired in 2005. The Reverand explained a longtime church member approached Smith and invited him to sit at a table.

Sarah Yeager, one of the victims, as pictured on her Facebook profile (Facebook)

He identified himself to one of the victims, 'Bart' Rainey, as 'Mr Smith' and refused to join them. Smith then pulled out a handgun and shot three people according to authorities.

One of the churchgoers, Jim Musgrove, hit the shooter with a chair and wrestled the gun away from him. Rainey was pronounced dead at the scene while Yeager and Pounds were taken to a hospital, where they later died.

Police responded to the church in Vestavia Hills, one of Alabama's two most populous cities, after receiving reports of an active shooter.

The scene of the shooting at a church in Vestavia Hills near Birmingham, Alabama on June 16, 2022 (abc3340.com)

Around 25 people were said to be in attendance at the 'Boomers Potluck', including Smith who had previously attended the church and at least one of the dinners.

Defence attorney Emory Anthony apologised on behalf of Smith, saying: "We're so thankful to the families of each of those victims because they allowed him to plead to life. He could have been facing the death penalty.

"So they did not just talk about being Christians, they acted as Christians. I know it's hurtful to each one of the family members, but we say thanks to each one of them."

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Roadways blocked near the location of a church in Vestavia Hills on June 16, 2022 (abc3340.com)

Neither Smith's attorney Anthony nor the prosecutor's office said they knew why he opened fire that night. Anthony said: "I believe he's remorseful."

'Bart' Rainey's wife Linda told al.com there had been an outpouring of love and support.

She said: "Our grandson commented, 'A single senseless act of evil has been drowned out and lost among hundreds of acts of kindness and love. This is the legacy left by the victims. Contrast that with the legacy of Robert Smith.

Another of the victims, Jane Pounds (Facebook)

"We all will miss our loved ones, but none of us wonders where they are."

District Attorney Danny Carr said: "This type of senseless murder of three innocent people is certainly a case our office would typically try in front of a jury and seek the death penalty, however, that was not the wish of the three families in this case.

"After much discussion, thought and prayer, the families were unanimous that they would prefer a plea of guilty to capital murder and a life without parole sentence."

Neither Smith's attorney nor the prosecutor's office said they knew why he opened fire that night (AP)

Robert Findlay Smith (AP)

He continued: "Pursuant to this plea, there will be no appeal and the defendant will die in prison. The loss of Jane Pounds, Walter Rainey and Sarah Yeager is incalculable to their families, friends, community and of course their church family."

The Vestavia Hills Police Department released a statement following the plea, saying: "The Vestavia Hills Police Department would like to express our deepest appreciation to the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office for their tireless efforts in prosecuting this case.

"We would also like to thank all of the agencies that assisted us with this tragic event."

Vassia Barba