State Sen. Virgil Smith is offering a Wayne County judge a plea deal in the case where he was accused of shooting at his ex-wife. The plea deal includes his resignation from office and jail time in exchange for a dismissal of several felony charges.
In court on Thursday, Smith and his attorney Godfrey Dillard proposed the deal to Judge Lawrence Talon where he would spend 10 months in the Wayne County Jail on a Malicious Destruction of Property charge. The charges of felonious assault, felony firearm and domestic violence were dropped. He will also spend five years on probation.
The judge accepted the plea agreement and will sentence Smith on March 14 at 2 p.m.
The sentence agreement includes 10 months in county jail with no early release, five years of probation and he cannot hold elective office during his time in probation. He also must comply with alcohol and drug treatment and make monthly documentation, submit to a mental health evaluation, must surrender the weapon used and full restitution will be determined by the court.
He will stay out on bond until his jail time begins.
Smith was accused of shooting at his ex-wife in the early morning hours on May 10, 2015.
According to his ex-wife, Smith allegedly pulled out a long gun and shot at her and her car after she found him in bed with another woman. Smith said it was in defense of the woman he was with, and that his ex-wife attacked when she showed up at the house.
He is the current state senator for Michigan's 4th district, which includes parts of Detroit, Allen park, Lincoln Park and Southgate.
According to a spokesperson for the state senate, the senate has not received formal notice of Smith's resignation. He may submit the resignation in writing or may attend next week's session to resign in person.
