A “difficult patient” has been jailed for life after pleading guilty to murdering two dentists over a dispute over dentures.
Steven Alexander Smith, of Tyler, Texas, pleaded guilty Monday to first degree murder in the shooting death of Dr. Jack Burroughs Jr., 75, and Dr. Blake Sinclair, 59, at Affordable Dentures on March 16, 2022, CBS 19 reports.
After pleading guilty, he received an automatic sentence of life without parole, according to Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman.
The DA’s office filed a motion in November saying it would not seek the death penalty.
“The victims have been waiting for this day for a long time. The defendant admitted to mass murder, and he will not be released from prison,” Putman said, KLTV reported.
“We are grateful for the hard work of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and prosecutors Noah Coltman and Zach Gilmore,” he added.
On the day of the shooting, Burroughs told Smith that he would no longer be a patient because of the problems he caused at the clinic, according to CBS 19.
Steven Alexander Smith, a “difficult patient,” has been sentenced to life in prison for shooting dead two dentists over a dispute over dentures. Smith County Jail
Smith became enraged, tried to grab his dentures and pushed Burroughs to the ground, the outlet reported, citing an arrest affidavit.
The patient left the building and returned, walking toward the front door and forcing it open while Burroughs tried to lock it, according to the document.
Sinclair grabbed Smith from behind and the two men began to fight.
A nurse saw Smith pull out a gun and shoot about five times at the two dentists, who were later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Smith had been asked not to return to practice shortly before the fatal incident. Google Maps
The nurse told investigators that Smith pointed a gun at her before leaving his vehicle.
A deputy later found him pulling into the driveway of his south Tyler home.
The nurse told police that Smith had “always been a difficult patient” and was “unsatisfied” with the way the staff performed his work, Law & Crime reported, citing the affidavit.
Smith’s jury trial is set to begin Monday when he enters the plea.
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