On Wednesday, Feb. 4, Washoe District Judge Scott Freeman imposed a maximum life sentence without parole on Frank Smith for the May 2007 murder of 30-year-old Royce Riley III in downtown Reno. Co-defendant Deljuan Goodlow received a sentence of 40 years to life in prison for his role in Riley’s murder.
Smith, 36, and Goodlow, 37, were convicted of first degree murder, home invasion and burglary after a jury trial last September.
Both men were tried and convicted for the same crimes in 2009 — however, the convictions were reversed by the Nevada Supreme Court due to improper comments by the trial judge during jury selection. It was reported at the time that then Judge Steven Kosach called the crimes “horrible” and “referred to the defendants in the same context as … figures like Saddam Hussein, Adolf Hitler and Ho Chi Minh,” according to an AP story.
Other judges said Kosach’s comments were “so outrageous as to create the appearance of partiality and result in a miscarriage of justice.” Because Kosach’s comments, the case was transferred to Judge Freeman’s department for re-trial.
Riley was a tourist visiting Reno with his girlfriend, 23-year-old Caroline VanLoock. The couple was staying at the Lido Inn downtown.
Smith and Goodlow, both from Stockton, Calif., were returning to their room in the early morning hours of May 14, 2007, when Goodlow exchanged words with Riley, who was on the balcony of his second-story room. Smith and Goodlow armed themselves with pistols from Goodlow’s vehicle and attempted to break into Riley’s room, violently kicking the door and breaking the front window of the room.
While VanLoock retreated for cover in the bathroom, Riley – who was repeatedly crying out for help – used his own body to barricade the door against Smith and Goodlow’s attack. Smith and Goodlow threatened Riley with their guns through the broken window and demanded that Riley open the door. When Riley refused, Smith shot Riley in the chest with his .40 caliber pistol.
Goodlow also fired his pistol at Riley, striking him in the leg. Smith and Goodlow fled the scene in Goodlow’s car. Although VanLoock tried to summon help, Riley died from his chest wound shortly after Smith and Goodlow fled.
Goodlow, who initially eluded police after a short vehicle pursuit, was later apprehended near downtown. Smith was arrested the following day in Stockton on a murder warrant.
In a letter to the court, Riley’s’s mother, Diane Riley, said her family had “unfairly been given a life sentence of pain, emptiness and grief,” and wrote that the defendants “not only took the life of an innocent man, they stole pieces of Royce’s loved one’s hearts as well.”
Chief Deputy District Attorney Luke Prengaman argued that the attack on Riley and VanLoock by complete strangers represented “a law-abiding citizen’s worst nightmare,” and that Smith deserved a maximum sentence for terrorizing and murdering Riley.
Smith and Goodlow both told the judge that they had remorse for the killing; their lawyers argued that both men should have the opportunity for parole in their 70s.
Because Riley was murdered in the first half of 2007, Smith and Goodlow received life, consecutive sentences for their use of guns. In September of 2007, the Nevada Legislature changedthe deadly weapon law to allow for reduced sentences in deadly weapon cases.
SOURCE: Washoe County DA.
