Inmate found guilty of voluntary manslaughter; could face life in prison

An inmate from the Ojibway Correctional Facility in Marenisco was found guilty after an eight day trial.

Michael Smith, 32, could spend up to life in prison after a jury found him guilty for voluntary manslaughter as a habitual offender, fourth offense.  He was also charged with second degree murder, but the jury could only find him guilty on one of the charges.

Testimony in the trial ended Wednesday afternoon in Gogebic County Circuit Court, and the jury deliberated until Thursday afternoon.

Smith murdered a fellow inmate, Randolph Conner, 26, inside the facility in January of 2013.  Police say Connor suffered head injuries in the incident.

Smith’s co-defendant in the case, Delorean Henderson, 25, pled guilty this January.  Court officials will not release what he pled to.  Sentencing dates for the men have not been scheduled yet.