On the night of December 4, 2012, a dispute that began inside You Know Who's Pub in Waterville, Maine, tragically ended the life of 26-year-old Justin V. Smith of South China. An altercation involving friends of both Smith and another man, Matthew Partridge, 30, of Winslow, spilled out into the street. The conflict escalated when Smith approached Partridge, who was sitting in his truck.
After an exchange of words, Smith punched Partridge in the face.
In response, Partridge, who had a concealed carry permit, fired two shots from his handgun, striking Smith in the face. Partridge then fled the scene but was apprehended by law enforcement approximately 20 minutes later. Smith was rushed to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The incident, described by the prosecutor as the "tail end of a barroom brawl," left a community in shock and a family devastated.
Matthew Partridge was initially charged with murder in connection with Justin Smith's death. However, in August 2013, he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. Partridge was sentenced to 25 years in prison with all but 15 years suspended, to be followed by four years of probation. During the emotional sentencing hearing, Smith's family and friends remembered him as a loving father to his young son, an avid outdoorsman, and someone who was deeply cherished. His mother, Brenda Smith, expressed her profound loss and disbelief at the senselessness of the act that took her son's life.
