Staff Writer
“We are very close to the tipping point in this case,” stated Detective Sgt. John E. Cote, in regards to the on-going investigation to the murder of Darrel Smith, a resident of Woodland, which occurred February 6, 2008, “if we can just get the one missing piece we could close this case quickly.”
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Since Feb. 6 of 2008, police have been investigating the murder of Darrel Smith, shown here with his wife Barbara.
Det. Sgt. Cote spoke to media representatives Tuesday morning at the Caribou Court House announcing that through this meeting, police were, “straying from their normal protocol,” by releasing specific information regarding the case.
According to the statement provided by Det. Sgt. Cote earlier this week, ”Smith was found shot to death in his shop at his residence on the Thomas Road in Woodland, Feb. 6. The Smith family provided an initial reward in the amount of $30,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the murder. Today, the reward has been increased to $40,000. A record amount for any State Police case.”
Detective Sgt. Cote, representing the Maine State Police Criminal investigation Division 111, continued, “State Police detectives continue to work the case on a regular basis and have followed countless leads. Numerous interviews have taken place and several hundred hours of work have been logged in the investigation. Multiple items of evidence related to the crime have been recovered and submitted to the State Police Crime Lab in Augusta for examination during the past 18 months. Evidence recovered includes the safe taken from the Smith residence the day of the murder, as well as the murder weapon itself. DNA evidence is also being examined by forensics experts at the crime lab. Detectives remain confident that they are concentrating their efforts appropriately. They also remain optimistic that arrest(s) will result from their investigative work.”
Det. Sgt. Cote continued,” A frustration among investigators is the apparent common knowledge among a segment of the Greater Woodland community claiming to know who is responsible for the murder. Although some members of the public will speak openly about who is responsible, no one has come forward with solid, direct, credible information to assist investigators.” Cote also commented that, “ a little bit of information from the right person and this case will come together.”
The detective also stated, ”The State Police is once again asking for the public’s assistance in moving the case forward. Even if someone suspects police are already aware of the information they have, they are encouraged to call and provide that information to investigators. An example of why it is important to call occurred earlier in this investigation. Two men had been traveling on the Thomas Rd., the day of the murder and saw the pickup truck parked on the Thomas Rd. near the Smith residence around the time of the murder. Both men assumed the other had contacted the State Police with their information. It was only several months later when they realized that neither one had called to provide their critical information describing the truck and its occupant.” Investigators did comment that it is thought the truck may have been used as a look-out point either prior to or during the criminal act.
According to Det. Sgt. Cote, “State Police detectives continue to work closely with other area law enforcement agencies seeking information and leads in the case. Caribou Police, the Aroostook Sheriff’s Office, M.D.E.A. as well as Troop F uniform troopers continue to assist in gathering any relevant information.”
“At this time we do have a huge amount of critical evidence in our possession, and we want the public to know that this is an open and active case,” added Det. Cote.
Members of the public are encouraged to call the Maine State Police at 1-800-924-2261 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-638-TIPS. We don’t care if we get the same information three different times.
The investigating officer also reminded those at the press conference of the personal side of an investigation of this type where they are in regular contact with the victim’s family members. “They are victims also.” said Det. Sgt. Cote.
Darrel Smith’s wife, Barbara provided the following statement for the media release.
“ His death was so senseless, he never hurt anyone and was a friend to all. Our dream of retirement and spending time at camp fishing and traveling has been robbed from me. We did almost everything together. Darrel would tell people, ‘Barb is my buddy,’ that is the great relationship that we shared. For me and our entire family we have to live everyday with this weighing on us because of no closure. I hope if the murderers read this they can see how many lives have been ruined, not just Darrel’s. I am very determined that Darrel’s memory lives on and that the person or persons responsible will be prosecuted fully. If anyone has information that could help solve this, Please, Please come forward. We have offered a substantial reward.”
The victims parents also offered the following comments. “We have so many wonderful memories of our son Darrel, of his goodness and kindness to us and everyone he met. Only God knows our pain and loss and how much we miss him.”
