Las Vegas Man Sentenced for Murder of Former Little Rascal

KLAS News ^ | 2.24.05

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LuAnne Sorrell, Reporter
Las Vegas Man Sentenced for Murder of Former Little Rascal
Feb 24, 2005, 10:41 PM

Jay R. Smith
Charles Crombie with Jay R. Smith
Photo from Our Gang

Click here to contact Reporter LuAnne Sorrell.

A Las Vegas man convicted of killing a former child actor, who starred in the old "Our Gang" comedies, was given two life sentences.

During the 1920s, Jay R. Smith was known as the freckle face kid in the Our Gang movies. They were better known to TV audiences as the "Little Rascals."

In October of 2002, the 87-year-old's body was found in a remote area of the desert near Apex. Charles Crombie admitted to stabbing Smith three times in Smith's Las Vegas home. Smith had befriended the homeless Crombie, and let him live in his shed.

Thursday, Smith's granddaughter, Darlla Wann, spoke to Crombie at his sentencing in court. "I just wanted to tell you that you had no right to do what you did to my grandpa. All he was trying to do was help you get on your feet and you murdered him," Wann said.

Wann says Crombie not only took Smith away from her family, but all of America. "I hope his ghost haunts you every night you lay in your cell until you die," she continued.

Crombies attorney, Bob Amundson, said the murder was not premeditated. "He stabbed a man three times and he doesn't even remember doing it," Amundson said.

But the prosecution argued the murder was premeditated, pointing to how Crombie stole Smith's car after the murder using it to dump Smith's body in the desert.

District Court Judge Jackie Glass called the murder senseless and tragic. "It's sad and it's unacceptable and you're going to spend a significant amount of time in the Nevada State Prison," Glass added.

Glass sentenced Crombie to two life sentences. He'll be eligible for parole in 40 years.

A motive for Smith's murder has never been established.

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[dfwgator]

I thought this was going to be about John David Stutts, the guy that shot Buckwheat. And Texxon is there.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I thought they might have finally got the guy who killed Alfalfa.

[Larry Lucido]

Just damn.

[Larry Lucido]

Looks like his freckles had cleared up, for the most part.

[dfwgator]

[Vaquero]

or how about Mickey...you know...Robert Blake...who killed, well you all know.

"dont do the crime if you wont do the time..."

[billorites]

[Txsleuth]

I am going to brag a little here because my mom died two weeks ago, so I am feeling a little nostalgic.

My father was in OUR GANG, he was in the silent movies--
he died in 1979, but I have some pictures of him when he was in the movies--

Someday, when I learn how to post pictures, I might be able to post one here---

Please forgive me, but whenever there is a story about Our Gang, it reminds me of my dad and I loved him a lot and miss him (and now my mom)---

Also, I don't mean to bring anyone down, so sorry if I did--
sleuth

[NorCalRepub]

you didn't, and that is very cool.....after we are gone I don't think many of the youth these days knows a damned thing about the Little Rascals........OTAY......

[Former Proud Canadian]

Buckwheat got shot?? When?? Enquiring minds want to know.

[Radioactive]

Oh yes...the old Little Rascals curse...

Alfalfa...Mickey/Robert Blake..Buckwheat.....Miss Crabtree who was raped by Buckwheat...and now this.

I only hope Darla & Spanky can defeat this curse.....Oh NOOOOOO!....I'm told they are dead too!

[dfwgator]

Ted Koppel: We have just received word that Buckwheat has been shot. Apparently, it happened just moments ago as the legendary performer was leaving 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York. He had just finished making an appearance on "Saturday Night Live", and as he was leaving the building, he was shot by an unknown assailant, or assailants.. details are sketchy at this point. [ grabs earpiece ] Now, I understand that we now have a videotape of the shooting - let's take a look.

[ videotape plays on monitor to Ted's left ]

[ Buckwheat and his entourage exit 30 Rockefeller Plaza amongst a myriad of fans ]

Autograph Seeker: Oh, Mr. Buckwheat, I so love your singing, could I have your autograph..?

Buckwheat: Thank you very much. No autographs, pease, pease.. [ to crowd ] I nub nou! I nub nou! [ stands just outside of his limo ]

Voice in the Crowd: Hey, Mr. Wheat!

Buckwheat: Yes.

[ suddenly, two shots ring out, as Buckwheat staggers and his bodyguards run into the startled crowd to tackle the mysterious assailant - cameras zoom back to see the limo peel away in a mad rush to the hospital. ]

[ cut back to Ted Koppel ]

Ted Koppel: That was the scene just moments ago. To repeat: Buckwheat has been shot. We understand that he has been rushed to a nearby hospital, his condition unknown. We'll bring you more details as the shocking tragedy develops.

[ cut to news graphic featuring still image of Buckwheat being shot ]

Announcer: The Shooting of Buckwheat: America Stunned. Brought to you by Texxon. Life goes on. And Texxon is there.

[UnklGene]

Pinky

[over3Owithabrain]

Ahhh, our illustrious "homeless" - bums, hobos, vagrants, tramps - strike again.

[Lockbar]

I'm going out to the wood shed in my back yard and throw out the guy that is living there right now!

I'll post another message in a few minutes and let you know how it turns out.

[Former Proud Canadian]

Very funny. What really happened to Buckwheat?

[ambrose]

Spanky did okay. He apparently lived a normal life after leaving the show, but dropped dead of a heart attack.

[Lockbar]

"What really happened to Buckwheat?"

Didn't you hear? He became a cereal killer.

[stinkerpot65]

What was your father's name?

Sorry to hear about your loss.

[Poohbah]

I thought this was going to be about John David Stutts, the guy that shot Buckwheat. And Texxon is there.

That was my first thought, too!

[techcor]

Didn't you hear? He became a cereal killer.

Unnnghhh. That's terrible. I'm definitely going to remember it.

[nyg4168]

Wann says Crombie not only took Smith away from her family, but all of America.

Okay, not to belittle a reprehensible murder, but I think Ms. Wann is overstating things a bit with her claim that her grandfather was taken away from "all of America". I bet there's not one in a million who knew who this guy was, and even fewer knew of him before he was killed. The Little Rascals aren't exactly big stars anymore. Still, it's sad his life ended this way.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

And Texxon is there.

Don't forget Mutual Life, "Because you could die tomorrow!"

[thombo]

Alfalfa,Buckwheat,and now Freckle Face all murder victims?That's odd.

[lexington minuteman 1775]

Boy, its almost like this childhood comedy group brught together by Hal Roach or whomever in Hollywood brought the Little Rascals together got cursed in some way. Wasn't spanky killed in knife fight? or was that Alfalfa?

[FreeManWhoCan]

My favorite episode was when they go visit a rich old lady who is cranky, and by the end of the episode shes shooting pills with the slingshot. Is it Bill Cosby who doesn't allow them to play anymo?

[WVNan]

I'm so sorry to hear of your recent loss. Losing loved ones are the most painful thing we have to go through in life. May the Lord give you comfort and a lot of good memories.

[Ken H]

What really happened to Buckwheat?

He converted to Islam and changed his name to Kareem a Wheat.

[Old Professer]

SNL

[WVNan]

Is your Father in this picture?

[GreenHornet]

Spanky did okay. He apparently lived a normal life after leaving the show, but dropped dead of a heart attack.

Here's a little-known fact for ya, Sammy:

Robert "Spanky" MacFarland made an appearance in one of the final episodes of "Cheers" (playing himself).

If I'm not mistaken, the guy who played "Waldo" (the rich kid) passed away within the last year or so. Does anyone know how many of the former "Rascals" are still living?

[Old Professer]

He joined forces with Aunt Jemima, who do think supplies all those pancake hats?

[wtc911]

Never any doubt about who killed Alfalfa. It was a friend who was not charged. Self-defense in a dispute over a dog.

[wizr]

The one I remember is where Buckwheat is mad at his little brother and says "I wish Cotton was a monkey." just as his brother leaves and a little monkey shows up.

He felt terrible about what he had said. Made for a great situation.

[WVNan]

Here's a pic of some Rascals that don't appear to be the ones we remember the most.

[doctor noe]

"Looks like his freckles had cleared up, for the most part."

Used to look like somebody threw $hi# through a screen door.

[Michael.SF.]

Alfalfa, Buckwheat

No, that is odd.

[wizr]

GREAT LINE!!! Now you have to explain it to the Gen Xer's.

[IndyTiger]

Does anyone know how many of the former "Rascals" are still living?

I saw "Butch", (I think that was his name, he played the tough kid) interviewed about the Robert Blake case on the tube last year. Butch said he had gotten a call from Blake professing his innocence.

[Michael.SF.]

a pic of some Rascals that don't appear to be the ones we remember the most

Actually, that is Spanky on the far right, at a much earlier age then we usually remember him at.

[Betis70]

LOL funniest post of the day.

[Betis70]

I'm a Gen Xer. Why wouldn't I understand it?

[Clemenza]

I always thought that "Butch" grew up to become Attorney General in the Clinton administration.

[csmusaret]

Wasn't Tony Blankley a Little Rascal?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

"I wish't I had a watermelon."

PC would dictate that would have to be edited out these days.

That was my favorite episode, too, followed by "Yum-yum, eat-um up!"

[wizr]

Just thought you might not remember Creme o' Wheat. I do. Hated it.

[wizr]

Thanks. That's when Spanky was little.

[Betis70]

>>Just thought you might not remember Creme o' Wheat

OK I thought it was the "Little Rascals" part which I enjoyed as a kid. I don't know if the show is still on or not.

Sadly I think C o'Wheat is still around. I didn't much like it either.

[Larry Lucido]

Miss Crabtree was always a fav of mine.