SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia man has been convicted of attempted murder and other charges over a plan to have South Jersey prosecutors killed.
Stephen Smink, 62, was convicted on Aug. 15 on five counts of attempted murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder, as well as related charges for his plot to kill Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae, two assistant prosecutors and two Superior Court judges.
Smink, the former owner of a bowling alley, was convicted in 2014 for orchestrating a plan to burn down a rival bowling alley and sentenced to 15 years behind bars.
While in prison, prosecutors said he tried to hire a member of the Latin Kings street gang to carry out his murder-for-hire plan against those involved in his arson conviction. That man died before anything was done.
Smink then tried to hire another hitman, according to authorities, but that time it was an informant. Investigators said his now-deceased mother Esther Smink was helping him communicate with the informant.
“This defendant planned to kill public servants for doing their jobs and putting him behind bars for crimes he previously committed,” said Attorney General Matt Platkin in a statement Wednesday. “State police and prison officials found out about his plan and interceded before anyone was harmed.”
Smink faces a minimum of 30 years to life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 26.