John Edward Smail, a 31-year-old man from Greensburg, PA, was fatally shot on October 18, 2018, in Vandergrift, PA. The incident occurred at the apartment of his cousin, Ashley Croft, who was 35 years old at the time. According to police reports, Croft admitted to shooting Smail after claiming she was high and felt threatened when he attempted to leave her apartment.
She was charged with criminal homicide and denied bail.
The Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office ruled Smail’s death as a homicide, noting that he suffered gunshot wounds to the neck, chest, abdomen, and right arm. Croft’s preliminary hearing was scheduled for October 30, 2018, and she faced a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole if convicted.
Neighbors reported hearing banging and thuds before the shooting, and one witness saw Croft with a gun in her hands in the backyard. Croft told police that she pulled a handgun from her purse and shot Smail three times. Investigators found three spent shell casings and two handguns at the scene.
Croft’s attorney later announced plans to pursue a psychiatric defense at trial, citing her mental health evaluation. Despite rejecting a plea deal, Croft opted to go to trial, which was set to begin on February 10, 2021.
The tragic incident left the community in shock, as Smail was remembered as a hard-working single father and a fun-loving, outgoing individual. His friends and colleagues described him as a headstrong go-getter who was passionate about his work and hobbies.
