5 key details about Terrence Smith's murder

The new season of I am a Killer focuses on six new death row inmates, including Terrence Smith's killer, Kevin Saxon. Episode 6 of season 6 of I Am a Killer, titled Choices, premiered on Netflix on January 8, 2025, and shed light on some of the chilling details of the murder. The official synopsis of the episode reads:

"Sentenced to a minimum of 109 years behind bars, Kevin Saxon considers the choices that led him to commit murder - both in and outside of prison."

Saxon and Terrence fell out hard over a misunderstanding that led to Terrence's death in February 1990.

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Terrence Smith's murder details: How he was killed, and more

1) Terrence Smith and Kevin Saxon were friends in prison

Terrence Smith was an inmate at the Rikers Island at the same time as Kevin Saxon, a drug lord who had been incarcerated on the same island in 1989. Terrence and Kevin formed an alliance to survive in the notorious conditions of Rikers Island.

Kevin and Terrence were fellow inmates (Image via Pexels)

Their friendship helped the duo avoid unnecessary conflicts with the other inmates within the confines of jail.

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2) A rift between Terrence Smith and Kevin Saxon

While Terrence and Kevin's friendship was well-known within the cells, it was tested when an inmate spread a rumor. Kevin Saxon alleged later that the false rumor of him conspiring against Terrence caused a huge rift between the two.

Kevin Saxon stabbed Terrence Smith with a homemade shank (Image via Pexels)

Smith started distancing himself from Kevin Saxon over time. The coldness between the two led to frequent arguments and heated conversations.

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3) How Terrence Smith was killed

Smith and Saxon coexisted peacefully within the confines of Rikers Island till a rumor was spread. Smith was alerted by a fellow inmate of Saxon allegedly conspiring against him. While Saxon claimed that the information was untrue, Terrence chose to believe it.

Terrence Smith spent 20 days to recover (Image via Pexels)

This led to animosity between the two individuals and frequent altercations. At one point, Saxon brought out makeshift knife that he used on Smith. The attack left him with injuries he could not recover from and he died 20 days later.

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4) Kevin Saxon was incarcerated due to several charges

A native of Harlem, Kevin Saxon had engaged in criminal activities since a young age. In 1985, he was charged with robbery to which he pleaded guilty and received probation. He was arrested yet again on a variety of charges, including the murder of a man during a shooting incident in the area controlled by his drug ring.

Kevin Saxon had multiple charges (Image via Pexels)

Saxon was incarcerated at Rikers Island where he eventually murdered Terrence Smith but was dismissed soon enough. He had escaped captivity and was recaptured and tried again for the 2000 shooting of Richard Gaines, an amateur boxer and a rival drug dealer.

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5) Kevin Saxon was sentenced to life in prison

According to the New York Times, Kevin Saxon was charged with manslaughter and weapons possession charges. While he was subsequently sentenced to five to 15 years, he was dismissed in 1999. However, he came under the spotlight as the investigation into the Lincoln Crew began.

Kevin Saxon has been sentenced to life in prison (Image via Pexels)

Per NYPost, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Leslie Crocker Snyder mentioned that Saxon had been running a heroin ring and was behind the murder of Richard Gaines, a rival druglord and an ex-amateur boxer. Kevin Saxon was put on a 109-year prison sentence without the possibility of parole.

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Catch all the details of Kevin Saxon's doings on the latest season of I Am a Killer as it streams on Netflix.