The years-long case in the stabbing death of Michael Hogg appears to be nearing its end.
32-year-old Patrick Smith pleaded guilty Tuesday to amended charges in the case against him in Hogg’s death. Smith pleaded guilty to amended charges of criminal facilitation to commit murder, three counts of facilitation to attempted murder, and several misdemeanor charges.
Smith admitted that he facilitated James Huffman IV in stabbing Hogg to death in downtown Whitesburg on New Year’s Day 2014.
Smith had faced charges including complicity to murder, a capital offense, and Class A felony charges of complicity to attempted murder in Hogg’s death. James Huffman IV was convicted in December in Hogg’s murder and was sentenced earlier this year to life in prison.
Since Smith was facing the same potential outcome, Smith’s attorney believes the plea agreement, which could see him serve 20 years in prison, is a good deal and reflects what actually happened the night of Hogg’s death.
The prosecution in the case also believes the agreement is appropriate. Letcher Commonwealth’s Attorney Edison Banks said the plea agreement was agreed upon by all of the complaining witnesses and their survivors. He said the plea agreement was entered into in regard to their best interest.
Patrick Smith is set to be sentenced in Letcher Circuit Court August 20. Michael Hogg was 24 years old when he was killed.
[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/r_stJFBDct8″ height=”340″]
