A 19-year-old Indianapolis man, Caden Smith, has been sentenced to 189 years in prison for the murders of three people, which took place in October 2021. Smith was convicted last month for the shooting deaths of Joseph Thomas, Michael James, and Abdulla Mubarak, whose bodies were discovered along a grassy path. At the time of the murders, Smith was just 16 years old.
Mubarak was 17, Thomas was 18, and James was 22 when they were killed. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office announced the sentencing on Friday, with Prosecutor Ryan Mears emphasizing the impact of unregulated firearms and stating, “This significant sentence reflects our commitment to holding violent individuals accountable for their actions.”
According to investigators, Smith had communicated with the victims before their deaths, luring them to a secluded area with the promise of showing them a “Glock switch,” a device that can make a semi-automatic gun fire like a machine gun. Once at the location, Smith shot and killed the three men. The weapon used in the murders was later found at Smith’s home, helping to link him to the crime.
In the aftermath of the 2021 murders, there were rumors of a serial killer in the Indianapolis area, but authorities were able to trace the crimes back to Smith. However, the case faced challenges, including a 2022 ruling that allowed Smith to be released because a judge determined his arresting officers had violated his Fourth Amendment rights. Key evidence was thrown out due to this ruling, but Smith was rearrested shortly after for violating probation when he posted images on social media showing himself with a gun and drugs.
Smith’s trial lasted five days, and after being found guilty, he was handed the lengthy sentence. Following the trial, Prosecutor Mears expressed gratitude to the investigators, deputy prosecutors, and various agencies who worked on the case, stating, “Justice has been secured for Abdullah, Joseph, Michael, and their families.”
