The Dallas Mavericks traded Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, and three draft picks (2027, 2029 second-rounders, 2029 first-rounder) to the Brooklyn Nets for Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris in February, but the Mavericks organization has continued to support Finney-Smith’s personal life.
The Virginia Parole Board voted 3-0 to grant freedom to Finney-Smith’s father, Elbert Smith Jr., who has been incarcerated for the last 28 years and four months of Dorian’s 30-year life. The Mavericks helped Elbert’s son overcome legal and political obstacles to get the parole board to consider the case.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, general manager Nico Harrison, and chief of staff Jason Lutin were among Dallas’ front-office members to provide written testimonials during Smith’s hearing, “all vouching for Finney-Smith’s character.”
How Mavericks helped Dorian Finney-Smith secure father’s parole after 29 years in prison https://t.co/spyjWZt91A
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) July 27, 2023
Lutin helped Finney-Smith prepare the legal case to free his father. They also received assistance from former Virginia attorney general Jerry Kilgore, now a partner at law firm Cozen O’Connor, who agreed to take on the case for the public good.
“My whole family is in tears,” Finney-Smith told Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News after the board’s vote. “It hasn’t set in; probably won’t until I see him out. I haven’t touched my dad since … ever.”
The VPB granting parole in cases is a rarity. Prior to Wednesday’s vote, the board had granted parole in only 23 of 1,255 cases it had considered so far in 2023.
“Lutin’s the GOAT; he’s that dude,” Finney-Smith told Townsend. “Jason told me, ‘You’re always family,’ and he backed it up, for sure. He could have put it on the back burner, especially after I got traded.”
Dallas Mavericks help Dorian Finney-Smith’s father secure parole after 29 years in prison; Elbert Smith was ordered to serve a 44-year sentence in 1995
Elbert Smith, 52, was found guilty of a Jan. 25, 1995, murder. However, the board deemed his prison time and rehabilitation to be adequate based on the severity of his transgression.
“I’m just happy we could help,” Cuban told Townsend. “We are indescribably appreciative to Mr. Kilgore and glad for Doe Doe [Finney-Smith’s nickname] and his dad. Doe is a special guy. He deserves this.”
According to the case files, Smith was taken into Virginia Department of Corrections (VDOC) custody on Nov. 14, 1996, and was ordered to serve a 44-year sentence for two counts of malicious wounding, second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and distribution of cocaine.
Additionally, Smith was classified as a Level S inmate. Level S is a security classification reserved for hostile inmates who must be managed in a segregation setting. Allowing them to interact close with other inmates or with staff would pose a security risk.
Incredible story from Brad. Mark Cuban connected Dorian to Jason Lutin, who helped set the whole thing up. Nico Harrison flew with him to the parole hearing, with Rick Carlisle joining virtually.
“The Mavericks are different as far as relationships,” -Dorian Finney-Smith https://t.co/LvjCMpDKdr
— Mavs Film Room 🐴🎥 (@MavsFilmRoom) July 27, 2023
If not for the VPD granting his parole, Smith could have remained in prison until 2039.
Furthermore, Smith served more than four years of an indefinite period of solitary confinement at the Wallens Ridge State Prison, per Matthew Clarke of Prison Legal News.
He was held in a 9-by-14-foot isolation cell 24 hours a day and was allowed three showers and five weekly recreation periods in an 8-by-14-foot fenced cage.
“His status was reviewed every 90 days, but each review recommended he remain in solitary for failure to follow the VDOC grooming policy. He filed a federal civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging denial of due process,” Clarke wrote.
Elbert Smith is grateful for the Dallas Mavericks organization.
