Savona, N.Y. (
WHAM/WSYR) - It was a murder that devastated a family and a community.
In August of 1993, four-and-a-half-year old Derrick Robie was lured into some woods by 13-year-old Eric Smith. In a fit of jealousy and rage, the teen beat the little boy with a rock and then sexually abused him.
Smith waited three days before confessing -- leaving the Robies and the community of Savona in fear.
Smith is now 32 and has been denied parole five times. The Parole Board said Smith showed no remorse for his "senseless and violent acts" and if released, would commit another crime.
A Parole Board will have another chance this week to decide whether or not to grant Smith his freedom.
Derrick's parents tell us they fight every two years to keep Smith in prison, fearing if they don't, he will get out and "hurt someone else."
But this year has been more difficult. Their younger son, Dalton is engaged, and each milestone brings another memory of Derrick.
The Robies put together an emotional video of their son to give to the Parole Board. It includes never-before-seen pictures of the beautiful blonde-haired boy taken just a week before he was killed.
The Robies hope that Parole Board Members will remember their son's face and the terrible things Eric Smith did to Derrick when deciding whether to release him from prison.
In their first interview in several years, the Robies shared their memories and fears.
The Robies say it’s too hard on families to have to fight parole for child killers like Smith every two years. They are working with state lawmakers to try and get the law changed so that killers denied parole will not be eligible again until five, or maybe ten years.
They say it’s emotionally draining for them to have to re-live their son's murder every two years.
They remember Derrick as a caring child. They tell us he loved animals and his little brother. He was all boy, with a big heart.
The video they gave the Parole Board ends with a statement which reads, in part: "Thanks for sharing our memories of Derrick, these are all we have."
The Robies say they have the support of many in the community who have written letters asking the board not to release Eric Smith from prison.
