The final defendant convicted of murdering Dennis Pitch at his Salisbury Township home in 2016 was sentenced Friday afternoon in Lancaster County Court by President Judge David Ashworth.

Kristopher Smith, 46, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 16 ½ to 40 years. He must also pay a shared $15,812 in restitution with the other three defendants.

“Over the course of proceedings people always asked me which of these defendants was the worst,” Assistant District Attorney Mark Fetterman said during the sentencing hearing. “I always said Michael Baker, but I was wrong. It’s Mr. Smith.”

Smith knew Pitch and was the connecting piece between Baker and Christopher Lyles, who lived in Delaware County and drove to Lancaster County to commit the crime.

Smith and Brandon Bills, who testified in all three trials, both lived in Narvon near the victim.

“In his own words, he wanted his buddies up there to ‘hit a lick,’” Fetterman said of Smith.

Smith was found guilty by jury of first-degree murder and two counts each of robbery, burglary, and conspiracy after a four-day trial before President Judge Ashworth in August.

ADA Fetterman read statements provided by three members of the victim’s family at the hearing.

Smith declined to speak when President Judge Ashworth gave him the opportunity.

President Judge Ashworth mentioned Smith’s extensive criminal history dating back to 1993 and called this “one of the most heinous crimes available” due to the invasion of a dwelling.

“There is simply nothing to suggest Mr. Smith has chosen to change his behavior since he was a juvenile,” Ashworth said.

On the night of Dec. 2, 2016, Baker, Lyles, and Smith went into the home while Bills stayed at the car. The victim was fatally shot in the head and torso. Upon returning to the vehicle, Smith told Bills, “It didn’t go as planned.”

The victim’s family, friends, and coworkers became concerned when he didn’t show for work and found him dead inside his home on Dec. 4, 2016. Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Jonathan Potoka filed charges on April 23, 2018.

Assistant District Attorney Tiffanie Camarota assisted in the prosecution.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.