Texas Man MURDERS Father with Dumbbell—He Was Bonded Out of Jail ONE DAY Earlier!
A Texas man is guilty of striking his father dead with a 15-pound dumbbell, just one day after bonding out for a stabbing. 🌐 #News #HoustonTX #Texas #Crime
HOUSTON, TX – A Texas jury has convicted Ryan Mitchell Smith, 26, of murdering his father, Cameron Smith, 51, with a 15-pound metal dumbbell. The brutal killing took place on January 24, 2022, just one day after Ryan Smith bonded out of jail following an earlier arrest for stabbing a police dog and attempting a carjacking.
A Violent Sequence of Events
The chain of incidents began on January 22, 2022, when Ryan Smith allegedly tried to carjack a vehicle in the 800 block of Memorial Heights Drive in Houston.
After the attempt failed, he fled the scene, prompting a pursuit by Houston police and their K-9 unit. During the chase, Smith stabbed police dog Nate, inflicting non-life-threatening injuries.
Officers arrested him shortly after, charging him with evading arrest, interference with a police service animal, and robbery-bodily injury. He was booked into Harris County Jail and released on a $50,000 bond the following day, January 23.
Less than 24 hours later, on January 24, Ryan Smith killed his father.
According to his own admission, he lured Cameron Smith to the garage under the pretense of looking for deer meat. There, he struck his father three times in the head with the dumbbell and tied a plastic bag around his head to ensure his death.
Police Find Grim Evidence
On January 25, Houston police visited Cameron Smith’s home after family members reported him missing.
As officers arrived, they spotted Ryan Smith driving his father’s GMC Denali pickup truck with its lights off and license plates removed. When police attempted to stop him, Smith led them on a 10-mile, 15-minute chase before crashing the vehicle and fleeing on foot.
Inside the abandoned truck, authorities found a loaded hunting rifle, a black Labrador retriever, and the bloody 15-pound dumbbell used in the murder. At Cameron Smith’s residence, police located his body inside a trash can, a bag secured around his head.
Ryan Smith was arrested later that day in Austin County and charged with murder.
Trial and Conviction
Now three years after the killing, a jury has found Ryan Smith guilty of his father’s murder.
During the trial, his defense team argued he suffered from a manic episode at the time of the crime, asserting he was not mentally responsible for his actions.
Prosecutors countered that Smith’s efforts to conceal the murder—including driving his father’s truck and fleeing police—demonstrated calculated intent, undermining the insanity defense. Sentencing is set for a later date.
A Father Remembered
Cameron Smith was described in his obituary as a devoted father to his four children: Ryan, Blake, Spencer, and Avery. Family members noted he offered guidance, support, and unwavering love to his sons and daughter throughout his life.
Ryan Smith’s conviction marks the end of a tragic case that began with a series of violent acts and concluded with the loss of a father’s life at the hands of his own son.
A Moment for Reflection
Cameron Smith’s life, marked by devotion to his four children, ended tragically at the hands of his son, leaving a void for his family and friends to bear. The Houston community, shaken by these violent events, continues to grapple with the loss of a man known for his steady support and love. Yet, in the wake of this tragedy, there remains a quiet strength in those who carry on, offering a chance for healing and renewal to all who seek it. Thanks for reading this article, we appreciate it! Until next time, remember: you deserve to feel good today! — Jack and Kitty Norton, Founders and Editors
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