John Jefferson
Top left inset: Caden Smith (Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department). Top right inset: Michael James (WXIN). Bottom left inset: Joseph Thomas (Indianapolis Metro Police Department). Background: The crime scene (WTTV).
An Indiana man who was 16 when he murdered three people while he was showing them how to turn a Glock into a machine gun will spend the rest of his life in prison after he was given a 189-year sentence this week.
Caden Smith, now 19, learned his fate on Friday in the deaths of Abdulla Mubarak, 17, Joseph Thomas, 18 and Michael James, 22.
“Once again, the sale of unregulated firearms led to the tragic deaths of three innocent people,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a statement. “This significant sentence is a testament to our commitment to holding violent individuals accountable for their actions. We are grateful for today’s announcement and thanks to the dedication of our deputy prosecutors and the investigators, justice was served for Abdullah, Joseph, Michael, and their families.”
As Law&Crime previously reported, the triple slayings occurred around Oct. 12, 2021.
An officer with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department found the three men dead from gunshot wounds on a path filled with tall grass near the 4400 block of South Meridian Street. Investigators recovered several spent shell casings at the scene.
Police later learned via text messages that Smith lured the men to the field over two nights to show them how a Glock switch works. The switch turns the semiautomatic firearm into a machine gun. Smith used the opportunity to murder all three men so he could rob them, per prosecutors. Detectives identified Smith as the suspect and found the murder weapon at his home.
“Abdullah’s, Joseph’s and Michael’s families will never be able to see them grow up and live their lives,” Mears said in a statement at the time. “This verdict solidifies that Smith will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for the crimes he committed.”
Because the killings occurred two days apart in a remote area, rumors sprouted about a possible serial killer, the Indianapolis Star reported. However, cops quickly debunked the rumor and arrested Smith.
A guilty verdict was not always assured. In 2022, a judge threw out some key evidence after ruling detectives violated Smith’s Fourth Amendment rights during a search warrant, Indianapolis NBC affiliate WTHR reported. Smith was released from jail on a GPS ankle monitor, but he found himself back in jail on his 18th birthday after cops uncovered Snapchat photos of Smith with a gun and drugs, according to the TV station.
“It was a long and challenging road for these families, but thanks to the steadfast commitment of the investigators, deputy prosecutors, and the multitude of agencies, justice has been secured for Abdullah, Joseph, Michael, and their families,” Mears said.
Law&Crime’s David Harris contributed to this report.
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