ELKVIEW, West Virginia — A man who wiped out his entire family as a teenager has been sentenced to life in prison — for the second time — after a legal loophole nearly set him free.
Gavin Blaine Smith, now 22, was sentenced Monday to life plus 80 years after pleading guilty to one count of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder.
His victims were his mother, Risa Mae Saunders, 39; his stepfather, Daniel Dale Long, 37; his 12-year-old brother, Gage Ripley; and his 3-year-old brother, Jameson Long. All four were shot dead inside the family’s Elkview home in December 2020.
How He Was Caught
Smith was 16 when he fled after the shootings. His grandfather discovered the bodies days later after the family stopped responding to calls.
Police tracked Smith to a home in Clendenin, where he was found hiding behind clothing on the third floor. Investigators say his younger brothers’ blood was found on his clothes. Facebook messages between Smith and his then-girlfriend allegedly contained admissions about the killings.
Why He Was Back in Court
Smith was convicted at trial in 2022. But the West Virginia Supreme Court overturned that verdict in 2025, finding the trial judge made a reversible error by telling jurors about Smith’s parole eligibility as a juvenile.
Facing a new trial, Smith chose to take a plea deal instead — and this time, he waived his right to appeal.
“There’s no chance of us having to come back and do this all over again,” the county prosecutor said.
Because Smith was a juvenile at the time of the murders, state law makes him eligible for parole after 15 years. Prosecutors say they hope the parole board keeps him behind bars for life.
What do you think — should juvenile offenders ever be eligible for parole after crimes like this? Share your thoughts in the comments.
