Former bowling alley owner convicted of plotting to kill prosecutor and judges involved in his arson case

TRENTON, N.J. (TCN) -- A 62-year-old man who was already behind bars for arson was recently convicted of plotting to kill multiple government officials related to his case.

The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office announced that Stephen Smink of Philadelphia was convicted Aug. 15 on one count of conspiracy to commit murder and five counts of attempted murder, as well as conspiracy to transport weapons and transporting weapons. He faces a minimum of 30 years to life in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 26.

According to prosecutors, from January 2018 to December 2020, Smink conspired with others to kill Cumberland County prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae, first assistant prosecutor Harold Shapiro, two superior court judges, and an assistant prosecutor who were involved in his 2014 conviction for arson charges. Smink reportedly used to own a bowling alley in southern New Jersey and was sentenced to 15 years in state prison for orchestrating a plan to burn down a rival’s bowling alley. Two others accused in the arson case pleaded guilty.

According to the attorney general’s office, while the defendant was in custody, New Jersey State Police received information in April 2019 that Smink "hired a cooperating witness" in 2017 and 2018 to help kill the intended targets. Smink first reportedly hired a Latin Kings gang member who was also in custody, but he died before carrying out any slayings.

Prosecutors said Smink then spoke with the cooperating witness to find a hit man, as "Smink oversaw the transfer of sports memorabilia to pay for the hits and directed his mother, Esther Smink, now deceased, to write correspondence in furtherance of the conspiracy on his behalf."

Smink allegedly told an undercover officer, "If everybody was together, wipe the whole place out, and kill everybody, it just looks like somebody making an assault, a gang’s meeting," adding, "If somebody shot up the place, it looks like the gang getting retribution."

In a statement, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said, "This defendant planned to kill public servants for doing their jobs and putting him behind bars for crimes he previously committed. State Police and prison officials found out about his plan and interceded before anyone was harmed. He now faces a lengthy prison sentence for his violent scheme."

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