PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Gregory Smith, the man convicted of shooting and killing a 21-year-old inside the Philadelphia Mills Mall food court in March 2021, will spend at least two more decades in prison.
At the sentencing hearing Friday, Dominic Billa’s mother looked directly at Smith, 24, who was convicted of third-degree-murder in the death of her son and spoke about how beloved the 21-year-old was as an athlete, big brother, son and cousin – noting how he had a “laugh that touched everyone.”
She spoke about how he was on the right path in life, working as a carpenter, and owning a home and cars at such a young age.
She told Smith, “If you knew him, you would have loved him, and he would have helped you.” She also spoke of the unbearable pain she now feels.
Smith’s mother then stood in front of Judge Barbara McDermott, and tearfully apologized to the Billa family, adding how she couldn’t imagine all they were going through. She asked the judge to consider what her son has done for others, and how his family needs him.
Smith himself was crying at that point, and when he got the chance to speak, he apologized to the Billa family for “all that happened,” saying “he’s not a monster.”
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Smith’s co-defendant, and good friend, was acquitted of any wrongdoing, but got up and told the judge what a good person Smith is.
McDermott sentenced Smith to 26 - 52 years in prison, noting that Smith recklessly fired at Billa twice in the back, while people inside had to run for their lives in fear – adding that he deserved every day of his sentence.
McDermott said he’ll never know the true impact of what he’s done.
“You didn’t care,” she said. “You didn’t care who was around.”
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