State v. Smith

OPINION

KELLEHER, Justice.

This matter is before us as a result of the appeal of the defendant, Alvin M. Smith (Smith), from a conviction on two counts of first-degree murder of two children. The trial justice sentenced Smith to two life sentences without eligibility for parole plus an additional twenty-five years pursuant to G.L.1956 (1981 Reenactment) § 12-19-21, as amended by P.L.1988, ch. 402, § 1, the “habitual criminal” statute.

The mother of the two murdered children testified that on the morning of September 3, 1988, she was awakened by Smith when he entered her Providence apartment and…