WCBC

February 18th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

The Office of the State’s Attorney for Allegany County, the Honorable Michael O. Twigg, State’s Attorney, announced on Thursday, February 18, 2016, that Allegany County Grand Jury has returned bills of indictment against Jason Paul Wilt, 32 years old of Keyser, WV and Erika Renee Dersin, 27 years old of Cumberland, related to the January 27 death of Rhyshon Smith, 25 years old, formerly of Baltimore.  The couple will each face charges of First Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, First and Second Degree Assault, and Reckless Endangerment.

The evening of January 27, 2016, a call was made to the Allegany County 911 Center from a man indicating he had been stabbed and was in the area of Industrial Boulevard.  Ambulance crews and police, including investigators from the C3I Unit, responded and found Rhyshon Smith along Route 51 near Uhl Highway suffering from multiple stab wounds.  Several citizens also stopped to assist prior to emergency crew’s arrival. Smith died a short time later at the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center from his injuries.  The investigation revealed that the couple had traveled to a residence in Cumberland and picked up Smith in Wilt’s vehicle.  The couple’s intent was to rob Smith, and as they traveled eastbound on Route 51, Wilt produced a knife.  A struggle ensued between the three parties and Wilt stabbed Smith in the chest.  The couple forced Smith from the vehicle, left the scene, and then a short time later returned to take a sum of money, Smith’s identification and cell phones.   

Wilt and Dersin will each make an initial appearance in the Allegany County Circuit Court soon, and trial dates will be scheduled.  Assistant State’s Attorneys Erich Bean and Karen Detrick will prosecute the cases.  Wilt is represented by Michael Stankan of the Public Defender’s Office.  Dersin is represented by attorney Sean Gallagher.