The Hero Behind the Headlines

Jack Lee Smith's life was tragically taken at the young age of 19.  Because of the malicious act of his murderer, the world will never know how Jack would have lived out his life; but thanks to the testimonies from Jack's friends and family, we have insight on what this remarkable, and brave young man was like.  I have taken the following description from his obituary and another from a letter his girlfriend at the time wrote for us so that as we here, at Sorry We Are Perfect, continue to research this devastating loss, that we can remember the hero behind the headlines.

Jack Lee Smith, age 19, a five year resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado was tragically taken away on November 21, 2010 at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs. Jack was born on March 26, 1991 in Chester, Pennsylvania. 
He graduated from Coronado High School and was attending classes at Pikes Peak Community College. Jack enjoyed cliff diving, swimming, skate boarding and camping. He loved working with computers, especially in graphic design. Jack was a very compassionate and kind person; he always wanted to help others. Jack loved spending time with his family and friends and his two dogs. Jack enjoyed being in the outdoors. He was a member of St. Maryann’s Episcopal Church in Northeast, Maryland. Jack is survived by his father, John J. Smith of Colorado Springs, grandparents, Jim and Carolyn Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania, James and Diane Thompson of Rising Sun, Maryland, Alicia Racine and Walter Barksdale both of Aston, Pennsylvania. 

http://holtfuneralhomes1.frontrunnerpro.com/runtime/25886/runtime.php?SiteId=25886&NavigatorId=141446&op=tributeObituary&viewOpt=dpaneOnly&ItemId=608370

Letter from his great friend Vanessa:

Jack Lee Smith died November 21^st 2010 from a gunshot wound to the chest; he was 19 years old. Jack was a very outgoing and loving person. He lived everyday to the fullest and never let one second pass without a smile no matter what was going on in his life. When Jack was 8 his mother passed away from an accidental overdose and from that day on it was just him and his dad Joe Smith. They were all they had to each other. Jack graduated in May of 2010 from Coronado High School. Throughout school and life Jack made friends with almost everyone he met. He had respect for all and never judged anyone until he knew them. He was the kind of person that you wanted to be friends with because of his overall love of life and having a great time. And trust me that attracted a lot of people to him. He had a laugh that was contagious, even if you were in the worst of moods. Up until the moment he passed he had a great ability to protect the ones he loved from anything, and that’s all he ever wanted to do. To Jack his, goals in life were to be successful as a History major and one day finding something undiscovered. He wanted to make the ones around him happy, make new friends, live each day like it was his last, and protect his loved ones from any sort of danger that came their way. Unfortunately Jacks passion for being the protector is was caused his untimely passing. On the night of November 20th Jack and his friends were doing what was usual for a Saturday night; hanging out with friends and having a good time at a party. Once the party died down everyone began to leave. While Jack and his friends were heading to their cars, Eric Manly shouted words to Jack. Wanting to know why Eric was doing this Jack confronted him and his friends on the porch. A fight broke out and while Eric had the chance he ran inside and grabbed his gun. While Jack and Cody ran back to their car to leave Eric came out and fired a shot at Cody and it ricocheted off the ground and into a parked car. Scared Cody ran and left Jack. Jack, being the “protector” of the group turned around and put his hands up and tried talking the kid out of ruining not only his and Cody’s life, but Jacks as well. After a few minutes of arguing Eric Manly pulled the trigger and Jack went down. Once Jack hit the ground Bobby Dudek, one of Erics friends, ran over and began kicking and punching Jack in the face. When Jack was shot the bullet hit the artery in his heart and severed Jacks spine in half leaving him paralyzed in the middle of the street and completely defenseless from the attack from Bobby. Once the attack was over, friends began to notice what happened and ran to him, including Cody who was already on the phone with 911. Jack died in that street in front of his friends. Getting a phone call at 3 in the morning from your mother telling you that the love of your life has been shot and has passed away is the worst feeling in the world. I knew how hard it was on me but can never imagine what it’s like for Joe who has just lost his only son. Jacks death has been a travesty to literally everyone who has known him.

Eric Manly is currently being held at Spring Creek Juvenile detention center. At first the District Attorney charged Eric with second degree murder, second degree attempted murder and 8 other federal gun charges and was declared an adult for these crimes. Now, the DA has given the judge plea agreements for Eric. They have pleaded him down to just second degree murder in the heat of passion. The judge now has 2 options, either 6 years in youth offender services and if its completed Eric will be set free and if not he will have to serve 10-35 years in Department of Corrections, or 10-25 years in Department of Corrections. Bobby Dudek is facing only 3^rd degree assault charges and may possibly only get probation. Despite pleas from the family and friends wanting a trial for all charges the D.A refuses to let up on the agreement and says that this judge is “going to give him the 6 years regardless so there is no point in taking it to trial.” To Joe and to me it seems like just a simple way to get a guilty plea and wash their hands of it. Six years does not replace the 40 or 50 years we may have had with Jack. Joe will never be able  to see him graduate college or get married or have grandchildren. Eric took away my chance to marry Jack and have my children with him. The Colorado judicial system, when it comes to juveniles, is seriously lacking in their ability to try these kids for the hanous crimes they have committed. The truth is, this was a cold- blooded murder, an adult decision of one kid to take another’s life and therefore should be treated as one.

Our goal for this radio show and mine and Joe’s efforts with the press is to get this story out there and get the communities perspectives on the case. For them to remember that if this plea goes through this kid will be back on the streets, hanging out in their establishments, befriending their children, possibly dating their daughters, or even committing the same crime to another. He could possibly have the life that he took from Jack when he pulled the trigger. We want to get this out there not only for Jack, but also for the possible future victims of this type of crime. If 16 year olds can kill and be released back into society as “rehabilitated” gives the public the knowledge that “hey if I do this I will be out with a slap on the wrist”. We don’t want the message sent out that Colorado’s judicial system for juveniles is lenient. What’s the message that is being sent to these “gangs” that are creeping up in our community. Our fear is that they may recruit these kids and tell them that it’s ok to kill because they will get a slap on the wrist for it. We don’t want this happening to anyone else’s children, boyfriends, or loved ones. Anything we can do now, may save someone in the future or at least be able to give any future victims families the right justice. People need to ask themselves, what if this were their only son? What kind of justice would they be willing to “deal with”?