Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced today that Lashaun Smith, 36, was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Friday morning for the murder of his girlfriend on Nov. 3, 2017, when he killed her by repeatedly striking her with a hammer,
According to authorities, Smith pleaded guilty last month before Judge Bernard DeLury to first degree Murder. As part of the plea, Judge DeLury entered a non-negotiated agreement for a 40 year sentence in New Jersey state prison and 85 % of the sentence must be served, subject to the No Early Release Act.
During his factual basis, Smith stated on the record that he killed, 28 year-old Sarah Phillips by striking her in the head with a hammer four times, while she slept.
Officials say on Nov. 3, 2017, a 911 call was received by the Egg Harbor Township Police Department at 5:04 a.m., in reference to an injured female inside the residence at Zion Road, Egg Harbor Township. Egg Harbor Township Police officers responded and located the woman who was ultimately identified as Phillips. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A subsequent investigation by Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Egg Harbor Township Police Department resulted in the arrest of Smith and it is alleged Smith struck Phillips multiple times with a hammer. An autopsy of Phillips was completed and the cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt and sharp force injuries and the manner is homicide.
Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.