Repeat offender accused of brutal beating gets special order from judge despite SAO opposition – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

WEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) – A man currently behind bars for the brutal beating of a man in a pickup truck will be placed under house arrest following a judge's decision.

Ben Arthur Smith has a long list of crimes in the past, including his most recent offense in which he beat a man so badly in the parking lot of a Motel 6 in Cutler Bay that the victim's face was permanently disfigured.

A video obtained exclusively by 7News shows the June 17 brawl in which police say an angry Smith chased a man because he caught him with his ex-girlfriend.

Blow after blow, Smith's punches and beatings caused the victim's body to slam into the car horn. At the end of the fight, the victim had several teeth knocked out and suffered multiple fractures, and had to spend several days in the hospital.

The video also shows Smith throwing a rock through the window of the victim's truck.

Smith was arrested days later for the bloody beating.

In court, prosecutors asked the judge to keep Smith in custody without bail until his trial because he poses a “clear threat to the community” due to his criminal record dating back at least three years.

Judge Ariel Rodriguez agreed to keep Smith in jail without bail, but granted him an exception. Rodriguez said Smith should be able to spend the holidays with his family.

According to Rodriguez, “the defendant will be placed under house arrest on October 30, 2024. [to] 3 January 2025.”

The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office told 7News that the judge's decision was unusual.

“It is quite unusual for a defendant to be held in custody and at the same time be granted release by the same court order.”
SAO

However, this is not the first time Rodriguez has made an unusual ruling. He made headlines earlier this month when he agreed to the release of another defendant.

Christopher Pitre, a repeat offender from Miami Beach, was able to break free from the ankle monitor of his house arrest and be released as an escaped prisoner after Rodriguez granted the homeless defendant house arrest.

“Now we have to deploy the police and try to find this person and pray to God that no one else gets hurt,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner.

The verdict came despite Pitre's citywide crime spree last spring, which included allegedly pointing a gun at Miami Beach Commissioner Joe Magazine.

Fortunately, Pitre was caught weeks ago, but only after he committed a theft while on the run, according to Miami Beach police.

Rodriguez declined to comment on Pitre's case. It is unclear whether he will comment on Smith's case.

Smith is charged with aggravated assault, burglary causing bodily harm and throwing or discharging a deadly projectile.

He will remain incarcerated in the Miami-Dade County Jail until at least October, when his house arrest takes effect.

Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.