Both survived. He began serving the prison term in 1981, and after spending fifteen behind bars, Randall was paroled in 1996. There was a handgun laying outside the truck, right in the-- within his reach. Besides, the duo even shared their gratitude for Melissa Miller and claimed they would not be alive if not for the help and shelter she provided on that fateful day. You know, I was scared. You know, I hear that boom. [6] His probation ended in 2006. asked Virginia Smith, a neighbor who is not related to Randall Smith. Sean Farmer: The first thing was just to get away from this guy. Tom Lawson: She runs, he chases, grabs the-- the wrought iron poker as she's running. There in his cell the next day, officers found him unresponsive. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. He pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder. Through the tents, Jordan allegedly threatened to pour gasoline on them and "burn them to death," prompting the hikers to pack up and leave. Later Friday evening, the group made camp near Wythe County, Virginia, within the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, when Jordan allegedly began approaching the hikers' tents, making noises and threatening to kill them, according to the probable cause statement. Farmer stopped and Johnston jumped in. Ya know, I-- I made it. When April Fools Goes too Far! Glatman also is a suspect in the slaying of "Boulder Jane Doe," a victim whose corpse was discovered by hikers near Boulder, Colorado in 1954. Farmer, meanwhile, had staggered back and watched as Smith fired at Johnston running to the trees. Farmer said he then stood up, unable to figure out what had happened, and felt his face, hot and swelling. He could talk fine. Chris Hansen: So they were trying to get you to say, 'everything's good.". The slaying was the first murder on the Appalachian Trail, a 2,160-mile wilderness path that stretches from Maine to Georgia, since 2011 when hiker Scott Lilly, 30, of South Bend, Indiana, was slain and left in a shallow grave in Amherst County, Virginia. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Scott Johnston: And he says, "Is this the guy that shot you?" ABC News' Julia Jacobo and Ben Stein contributed to this report. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Chris Hansen: How much pressure was on you to solve this case and get that Appalachian Trail back open? This page uses cookies and other similar technologies to improve your experience on our services. As Johnston banged on the door and pleaded for help, Farmer wobbled from the Jeep. And they found some bizarre drawings and notes, including this prayer:, "Hail to the guardians of the watchtower of the north. Be careful when hitchhiking. Scott and Sean were still a long way from medical help. As Johnston yelled "Go, Sean!" This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. But he did notice that Randall had become obsessive. Knowin' how we were both gonna react. This crime-related article is a stub. Johnston said the bedraggled stranger had the look of an alcoholic already near bottom. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. [2] A third victim, Shirley Ann Bridgeford, was met through a Lonely Hearts ad in the newspaper. Randall Lee Smith Now: Is The Killer Dead or Alive. As far as away as possible. I used to be a Web Developer in the Newsroom, now I spend my time in coffee shops researching murder. They both needed immediate medical attention, and were Medavac-ed to a hospital in Roanoke. Smith, meanwhile, had driven off in Johnston's black truck. And, you know, patted his leg. But as Farmer put his Jeep in gear, the shot he was expecting didn't come. "The Randall I knew was not the cold-hearted person the outside world makes him out to be," she said. Smith, however, did not. Sean Farmer: This is it, right here. Randy is survived by his parents John and Norma Smith, his sister Debra (Brian) Doggett, his brother Timothy (Sandy) Smith, nieces Shelley White, Amy and Kasey Smith . And- and I felt the bullet hole. Judy Snipes: To be real honest, the two of them initially. He died in jail four days later as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Robert Mountford had been shot in the head, but police couldn't find the gun. Later, the police determined that Ricky was none other than Randall Lee Smith, who had already returned to his murderous ways after being paroled from prison. Scott Johnston: I had fished all morning. Moreover, although both followed terribly busy schedules, it wasnt out of the ordinary for them to plan a day of fishing and relaxation. Did Randall Smith return to his old haunts, near the Wapiti shelter, and Dismal Creek? Sean Farmer: At that time, I just put my hand up. It's still there. Julie Williams andLollie Winans were found both with their throats cut in the Shenandoah National Park in the Virginia, just a month after Bryson hiked through the area himself. The two men demonstrated what happened next. Why were you so brutal? But they didn't know Smith had been released from prison. [8] He was befriended by the two men, who shared their dinner with Smith, before he opened fire on them without warning, shooting Farmer in the head and chest and Johnston in the neck and back; both would survive their wounds. Scott Johnston: And- and the next thing I know, I mean, I just hear, "Pow. The storied Appalachian Trail passes through the outskirts of town. I mean, we're both healthy, still here. Before driving off, Johnston told the man he was camping just up the road at the Lions Den Campground. And when the door opened up, I felt that cold air, like, whish across my body. Scott wanted to take us back to Carillion Roanoke hospital to meet some of the team that saved his life. Ron Hamlin: And another investigator and I went I've and we pulled him out from under the truck. This guy kills two people. Randall Lee Smith was suspected of shooting two fishermen near Dismal Creek. Their pulling together as a team, how they pulled off two of them trying to drive a truck over a road that's as windy as the road you saw, is to me almost an amazing feat. My first thing that I thought about was, you know, how far we are away. We're both bLeeding. The shocking crime drew national attention, and for the first time, a large portion of the trail was closed to the public. Order Flowers for the Family. Medical examiners still are trying to determine the cause of death. Neither had medical insurance, and Scott's truck was a total loss. But I mean, all of a sudden we just take off again. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Contents 1 Background 2 1981 Murders and Release 3 Later Crimes and Death 4 Modus Operandi 5 Known Victims 6 On Criminal Minds 7 Sources Background Smith infamously murdered two people along the Appalachian Trail in . Tom Lawson: Basically that Randall was gonna serve 15 years. As 8:30 p.m. approached, darkness began to creep over the campground. So it was just, you know, staring each other down, briefly. Scott Johnston: Back in the original case, where-- where was, back in-- in the original case, where was the judicial system? "The next thing I knew boom, boom, boom! Residents of Bluefield, Virginia, Sean Farmer and Scott Johnston are longtime buddies who often go out fishing and camping together. We were about five miles from any house. And I say, "Call 911. "I hope before he passed away that he had a chance to make things right with the good Lord," she said. But, it just didn't happen. Tom Lawson: Well, we were getting calls from the Department of the Interior--. Authorities allege Smith used a .22-caliber pistol Tuesday night to shoot Sean Farmer, 33, of Tazewell and Scott Johnston, 37, of Bluefield. Scott Johnston: I - I knew then I was sort of in trouble. And ironically, Smith's jailer would be the same man who put him behind bars 27 years ago -- Tom Lawson. By comparison, the Pacific Crest Trail is longer (2,650 miles) althoughmarkedly younger trail has never seen a single murder. Scott Johnston: --well, man. When some killers kill, we sit back and wonder how this happened. So I start the car. So I went and run to the phone and called 911. Dale Vaught of Pembroke said Smith "was probably going to die anyway" by lethal injection. A native of McDowell County, he was born. He compared Smith's prints to that print left in the book. Scott Johnston: It was really creepy. Sean Farmer: I just had this ringing in my head, where he shot me right in the side of the face. No one could believe anyone in our community would be so capable of so-- so much damage and so much horror. During this time he was diagnosed as a schizophrenic (or, at the time, having a split-personality disorder or having psychoneurosis. And only goes away for 15 years? More from Medium A.W. Scott Johnston: And I guess, he turned and shot me in the back, at that time. Scott Johnston: They weren't sure if I would ever talk or swallow again. Tom Lawson: The flooring, which was brand new, was very black, like someone had rubbed a substance on the floor. Around 3:12 a.m., the female victim called emergency dispatchers in Smyth County, detailing the attack. Randall Lee Smith, 68, Minot, died Tuesday, November 11, 2014 in a Minot hospital. I was just out of it. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Chilling new details have emerged how a Massachusetts man allegedly attacked a pair of hikers with a machete on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, killing one and severely injuring the other. A True Crime Publication that looks into both new crimes and long lost forgotten crimes. Hikers protested outside the courtroom the day after his sentencing, and a spokesman for the Appalachian Trail Conference said Smith is the "first person convicted of murdering a hiker who has had the opportunity to leave prison". Virginia Smith agreed. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Once back in Virginia, Randall was offered a plea deal where he would plead guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in exchange for 30 years in prison. In life Randall received his education from South Davie schools. He is survived by his mother Virginia Mae Smith, his father Randall Ray Smith, a son Brandon L. Smith of Mocksville, daughters Monica Weatherman and . I could have been living with four murders now instead of two Randall Lee Smith was charged with two counts of attempted murder for his assault on Scott and Sean. Scott Johnston: Well, it's-- it's cost me a small fortune. She said she hadn't seen him since December and others hadn't seem him since February. Tom Lawson: Oh, yeah. plans and enthusiasm Those who know Sean and Scott said they were often spotted hanging out together in Bluefield and described them as generous and kindhearted individuals who never hesitated to help out others in need. "He said, 'Come on, boy. I said, "These people are going to help us." Susan Ramsay, 27, and Robert Mountford, 27. He pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Robert Mountford Jr. and Laura Susan Ramsay, who were killed while hiking the Appalachian Trail, in May 1981. And then my vision in my right side went bad. After his parents bailed him out Glatman was arrested again a month later when he abducted and sexually assaulted another woman. Randy was born February 3, 1948 in Salt Lake City to Joseph McKinnon Smith and Leone Grames Smith. A large section of the Appalachian Trail was shut down for weeks, but there were no arrests. But I guess he figured out he and Bo weren't going to make it up there," she said. The enormous vat of nacho cheese that you brought to my birthday party last weekend. He only ended up serving half of his sentence, much to the anger of Ramsay and Mountfords families. Then the pieces started to fall into place: Lawson found some hikers who saw Randall Lee Smith with Susan Ramsay the day of the murders. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Find out more in ourPrivacy Policy. Tom Lawson: We found a fingerprint-- bloody fingerprint in the book. That's all I want for him. It has to be noted that this is very low when compared to the 3 to 4 million people that hike the trail each year. They knew his history and sometimes worried about what he might do to them, their children and grandchildren. Born in the Bronx to a Jewish family and raised in Colorado, Glatman exhibited antisocial behavior and sadomasochistic sexual tendencies from an early age. She said residents told them about Randall Lee Smith, about the murders he committed in 1981 and about the most recent allegations. You can read the details of the case here. Scott Johnston: That's a good question. Scott Johnston: No. But it's actually inside my sinus cavity. But just a few hours later, that picture postcard day turned into a night straight out of a horror movie. Sean Farmer: I'm just lucky. Authorities say they don't know yet why Smith died. We can only guess what the reason for this would be. the Appalachian Trail. "Saves the taxpayers some money.". The victim's names were not immediately released. After Randall Smith's arrest, neighbors wondered what happened to Bo. But it turns out, violentcrime on hiking trails is more frequent than I initially thought. Ron Hamlin: You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court a law, okay? When Sean Farmer and Scott Johnston decided to spend a day fishing and camping out in Dismal Creek, Virginia, in 2008, they had no idea of the terror awaiting them there. Randall Lee Smith. Mustang Wanted Dead?? He later died in prison. It rings your head unbelievably. Jordan was acting "disturbed and unstable" and was playing his guitar and singing when he approached the group, the complaint states. I met several people on the trail who clearly were not hikers, and each one of them was quite strange.. In 2011 an Indiana man who was hiking the trail was found strangled to death. Chris Hansen: What did you think you had on your hands in terms of a-- a profile of a killer? ", "I wasn't even looking at him, and the next thing I know, I didn't see him pull a gun or anything, I just had this ringing in my head where he shot me right in the side of the face," Farmer said. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Tom Lawson: I feel like we had probably the best you could probably have. But it was too early to celebrate. Both survived. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Sean, six-foot five and 380 pounds, decides to charge the man. Scott and Sean were near the trail on brushy mountain, miles away from civilization, heading for a creek alive with rainbow trout. And it was so close too. Although Sean and Scott managed to escape with their lives, they were shot multiple times and had to go through several complex and costly medical procedures that included numerous operations. ", Eugene Whittaker and his wife, who live nearby, have adopted Bo. Scott Johnston: Yeah. For fishermen like Scott Johnston and Sean Farmer, days don't start any better than this. He never said a word, he just started firing at us. He described having been in the bathtub, placing a rope around his neck, running it through the tub drain, and pulling it tight against his neck," achieving some kind of sexual pleasure from this act." Gary Stafford's reaction to the killer's death was typical. Check in with them regularly. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Luckily the pair survived, but Smith was charged for attempted murder and murder of two hikers back in 1981 (mpora.com). Sean Farmer: But it just-- we just worked together to get down. Tom Lawson: I don't know. After Scott made the ID, police launched a manhunt for Randall Lee Smith. Randall Lee Smith <p> Randall Lee Smith, 43, of Mocksville, NC passed away on March 29, 2021 at his home . Chris Hansen: Dark out. But the Miller's home is about forty miles from the nearest hospital. Joel Polson, 26 year old from South Carolina, was killed at a shelter in Georgia by Michigan fugitive Ralph Fox, who continued to walk south and then caught a bus to Atlanta, where he was arrested. Scott and Sean say they had the uneasy feeling of being watched that day, and, though they didn't know it, some hikers had told the local sheriff they had seen something very odd on the nearby Appalachian Trail: strange symbols and threatening signs painted on rocks and trees. They even came to me, and-- and mentioned putting a feeding tube in. There is a full article about the tragedy here on Outside Online. And survived it. Both Smith's sentence and his early release were met with anger by the victims' families as well as the hiking community. them before opening fire. And a study from the journal Nature published last. And - I whip it back around. Tom Lawson: I would be a fool not to. I said, "Let me steer." They have known each other from a young age, and their bond has only strengthened over the years. I mean--. Also, he had lost all vision in his right eye. Smith was paroled in 1996 after serving 15 years of a 30-year prison sentence. This was gonna make people despise you. And I - and I'm worried, like, you know, he's shot in the brain, or something that, you know. Sherman Smith: He would walk in the mountains just about -- just about everyday when it was pretty, but I didn't know how far he went. And do some more fishing. Because, I mean, he came up from at a angle behind execution style and popped me. Sean remembers the next scene unfolding as if in slow motion: the shooter turning back towards him, getting ready to fire again Chris Hansen: What was the look in his eyes? Sean Farmer: And then a pretty-- pretty big scar here. Hence, people did not think much when Sean and Scott decided to travel to Dismal Creek in May 2008. He was worried about Scott, he says, and wondering who just shot them, and why? Lawson found those murder weapons. The Gruesome Truth About The Climbers Who Die on Mount Everest, The Darwin Awards: 10 Of The Worst Stupid Death Stories Ever. In fact, as the flight went on, Scott himself thought he was not going to make it. Although each man had two serious gunshot wounds, they both survived the harrowing ordeal. 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