A man who gruesomely dismembered his father in Gardiner more than a decade ago is now enjoying the fruits of “limited” freedom.
Since he’s dutifully taking his anti-psychotic medications, Leroy Smith III is gaining more judge-approved privileges.
Smith, 35, was found to be not criminally responsible by reason of insanity for the bizarre 2014 killing.
He became the first Maine detainee to be forcibly medicated under a state law that aims to restore the mental capacity of defendants.
A judge is now allowing Smith to be moved to a supervised apartment with more unsupervised time on his own.
“Mr. Smith, I want to congratulate you on your efforts,” Judge Daniel Billings told Smith. “This is a big step forward for you.”
Smith, who’s living in a group home, will be allowed to work up to 24 hours a week and have some unsupervised time.
He’s also got permission to move from the group home to a supervised apartment.
Smith was found not criminally responsible for killing and hacking up his father in their Gardiner apartment.
Police found 56-year-old Leroy Smith II’s remains in trash bags in a wooded area off a rural road in nearby Richmond.
The commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services took over the case and is now overseeing treatment.
Smith once told WGME-TV news he was God.
