Local teen was responsible for three murders on different days in October 2021, that sparked serial killer fears in his Indiana hometown

Caden Smith, now 19, was unmasked as the gunman who took the lives of three young men in Marion County, Indiana three years ago

Smith was convicted on Monday, in the shooting deaths of Michael James Jr, 22, Joseph Thomas, 18 and Abdullah Mubark, 17

Smith, then 16, was identified as the killer after cops learned he’d taken the victims to the killing field on the night ‘to show them how Glock switch works’

Investigators not only recovered the murder weapon at his home, they also uncovered communication that Smith had with the victims

Caden Smith was charged as an adult with three counts murder and two counts felony murder

He also faced two counts robbery resulting in a serious bodily injury, one count dangerous possession of a machine gun, and drug possession

He faces up to life in prison at sentencing which is scheduled for Monday

Caden Smith [photo], now 19, on Monday was convicted in the shooting deaths of Michael James Jr, 22, Joseph Thomas, 18 and Abdullah Mubark, 17, in 2021 when he was 16

A baby-faced teenager unmasked as the gunman who took the lives of three young men in Indianapolis, in 2021, sparking fears that a serial killer was on the loose in small town Indiana, will likely spent the rest of his life behind bars. 
Caden Smith, now 19, had been accused of shooting Michael James Jr, 22, Joseph Thomas, 18 and Abdullah Mubark, 17, on two separate occasions in October 2021. On Monday he was convicted for all three homicides.
On October 12, 2021, an off-duty police officer discovered their bodies and several fired shell casings in a wooded area near South Meridian Street and West Hanna Avenue – sparking concerns of a serial killer in Indianapolis. 
The prosecutor’s officer identified Smith, then 16, as the killer after learning he took the boys to the field that night ‘to show them how Glock switch works,’ and discovering communication he had with the victims. 
Charged as an adult in the killings in November 2021, Smith who was 16 at the time of the killings. faced three counts each of murder and robbery, among other charges in the deaths.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office said Monday in a statement that Smith was identified as a suspect through his communication with the three victims prior to their killings. Investigators learned Smith had taken the victims to the field to demonstrate a gun conversion device known as a “Glock switch” that can make a semi-automatic weapon fire like a machine gun.
When Smith was arrested, investigators found the murder weapon in his residence, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Smith was convicted for murdering Michael James Jr, 22, [left], Joseph Thomas, 18, [right], and Abdullah Mubark, 17 [not in photo]

In 2022, a judge said detectives violated Smith’s Fourth Amendment right after executing the search warrant. Key evidence was then thrown out in the case, while Smith was released with a GPS ankle monitor and was restricted from leaving the state. 
After he was initially set free, James’ mother, Gladys Larsen, explained her anger with the justice system. 
‘We did not want Caden Smith released, because once again, we are back here having another conversation about this kid and his crimes.’
It wasn’t long before police found that Smith violated his release order after finding Snapchat images of him posing with guns and doing drugs. 
He was arrested on his 18th birthday at his home, where police say they found guns, drugs and ammunition.  
Smith was charged with dealing marijuana, visiting a common nuisance, invasion of privacy and violating his pretrial release conditions. 

After his release in 2022 with an GPS ankle monitor, detectives soon uncovered Snapchat images of Caden Smith with a handgun, smoking marijuana – Those violations led to his re-arrest 

At the time, the murderer’s attorney, David Hennessy, argued that the guns weren’t in his clients possession. 
‘They have to prove he possessed it, not that he was just in some house where there happened to be guns that were not out in the open,’ Hennessy said. 
When asked about the Snapchat photos of Smith smoking and holding up a gun Hennessy didn’t seem as confident. 
‘Yeah, I’m gonna have to have a young person walk me through Snapchat,’ he said before walking away.

An off-duty police officer stumbled on the three bodies in this remote field just off South Meridian Street in Indianapolis on October 12, 2021. The victims had been shot in the head

Released from jail in October with an ankle monitor after a judge ruled out evidence because detectives serving a search warrant violated his Fourth Amendment rights, triple-homicide suspect Caden Smith, was seen in another Snapchat post smoking marijuana

 The teenager ultimately had to face up to three counts of murder, two counts of felony murder, two counts of robbery resulting in a serious bodily injury, one count of dangerous possession of a machine gun, one misdemeanor count of dangerous possession of a firearm, one count of possession of methamphetamine, one misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana and one misdemeanor count of resisting law enforcement.
Speaking at the conclusion of the trial Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said, ‘It was a long and challenging road for these families, but thanks to the steadfast commitment of the investigators, deputy prosecutors, and the multitude of agencies, justice has been secured for Abdullah, Joseph, Michael, and their families.’

Triple-murder suspect, Caden Smith was released with an ankle GPS monitor after a judge ruled the police search that uncovered the murder weapon in his residence violated of his rights

‘Abdullah’s, Joseph’s, and Michael’s families will never be able to see them grow up and live their lives. 
‘This verdict solidifies that Smith will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for the crimes he committed,’ Mears said at the time. 
A court date for Smith’s sentencing has been set for Monday.