Melvin Smith guilty of ex-girlfriend's murder FREDERICK, Md. - A Frederick man has been convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting death of his former girlfriend last year. The Frederick News-Post reports that a jury found 28-year-old Melvin Smith guilty of murder Wednesday after deliberating for about 90 minutes. Smith showed little emotion as the verdict was read. Thirty-three-year-old Tranice Richardson was fatally shot July 8 outside her apartment. Smith was at large for nearly three weeks after the shooting. He was arrested in McKeesport, Pa., near Pittsburgh. Court records show that Smith fathered at least one of Richardson's four children. Judge Theresa Adams says she will schedule Smith's sentencing for the week of July 16. County State's Attorney Charlie Smith says his office is asking for life without the possibility of parole.