A 65-year-old man whose murder trial was affected by the continuing fallout from the jailhouse informants scandal in Orange County accepted a plea deal Monday that will net him five more years behind bars.
Paul Gentile Smith pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in connection with a 1988 killing, along with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison. He waived about 15 years in custody credits to make the deal with prosecutors happen, Senior Deputy District Attorney Mark Birney said.
Smith kept 754 days of credits, leaving him with 10 more years in prison, but under 1988 laws he gets a day of credit for each day served if he behaves in prison…