Brooks, Hazel Marian

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Frank_A_Smith_50_years_to_life_for_murder_of_9_yr_old_Thelma_Elaine_Snyder

20251206GHLn-
Frank A Smith, 50 years to life, for murder of 9-yr old Thelma Elaine Snyder
The Potter Enterprise
Coudersport, Pennsylvania •
Thu, Jul 29, 1943 p1
CLIPPED BY
wetzupdoc • 06 Dezember 2025

• Fifty Years to Life Sentence Given Frank A. Smith
Man Who Lured Thelma Snyder to Her Death Last March at Little Genesee Learns Fate.
The following is from the Wellsville Daily Reporter as a Belmont dispatch:
"You lured that happy, carefree child into the lonely woods," Supreme Court Justice Alonzo G. Hinckley seriously told Frank Austin Smith today as he sentenced the Little Genesee farmhand to serve from 50 years to life in Attica State Prison for the murder of little Thelma Elaine Snyder, 9-yearold child, on March 16.
"She believed that you were her friend and protector and had the same feeling of trust toward you that was undoubtedly manifested your own child," Justice Hinckley continued.
"Only your God and you know exactly what took place. But of one thing the Court is definitely certain. That no matter what your mental age may be according to this new science, that so long as you live you will never forget the terrible screams of the innocent victim of your cowardly murder.
"This will not be the least of your penalties which you must pay for your crime.
"The sentence of this Court is that you be confined in Attica prison at hard labor for a minimum term of 50 years and the maximum term of your natural life."
The prisoner showed no emotion as far as was evident to a score of persons present in the court room. He was taken back to Allegany County Jail by Sheriff F. Vanama Jones and Undersheriff Raymond Dare.
Attorneys who were named by the court to defend Smith said the was greatly relieved by the fact that he had escaped the electric chair.
He reportedly dreamed every night about the chair and told a fellow prisoner this morning:
"Well, I beat the electric chair anyway." The first-degree murder trial of Smith, town of Genesee farm hand, former carnival follower, came to an abrupt end. He was charged with killing 9-year-old Thelma Elaine Snyder, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Snyder, town of Genesee, March 16. The child's body was not found until May 16 and Smith, after confessing to the hatchet killing after a criminal assault, has been in the county jail since May 21.

PAST MATRONS CLUB TO MEET A regular meeting of the Past Matrons' Club will be held Friday evening at the Hotel Crittenden preceded by a 6:30 o'clock dinner. in.