Man Charged With Murder After Confessing to Killing in Downtown Houston

HOUSTON, Texas – A Houston man has been charged with murder after police say he approached officers investigating a death in East Downtown and confessed to his involvement.

According to the Houston Police Department, officers responded at approximately 11 p.m. on May 30 to a report of a deceased man in the 200 block of Chartres Street.

Upon arrival, officers found an adult male lying on a sidewalk. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Houston Forensic Science personnel observed injuries to the victim’s neck, according to investigators.

While homicide detectives were processing the scene and investigating the circumstances surrounding the death, a man later identified as 31-year-old Robert Herman Smith approached officers.

Police said Smith admitted to having a role in the victim’s death.

Following the statement, Smith was taken into custody and booked into the Harris County Jail.

Smith has since been charged with Murder in the 482nd Criminal District Court.

The identity of the deceased man has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.