A man serving a life term in prison for robbing an Elmwood Park NJ gas station is asking an appeals court to reconsider his sentence.

A NJ appeals court has agreed to review the sentence given to 48-year-old Frank Smith, whose aliases include Steven Wychee and Righteous Mathmatics.

In 2007, Mr. Smith was convicted of pointing a 9mm handgun at three (3) men inside the Sunoco station on River Drive in Elmwood Park NJ. After the holdup, Mr. Smith fled with their wallets as well as proceeds from the store. Later, Mr. Smith was caught when police linked him to purchases made using one of the victim’s credit cards.

Mr. Smith was convicted of first degree robbery and weapons offenses. The sentencing judge cited the state’s “Three Strikes” law when imposing a life sentence. Mr. Smith’s lengthy criminal history included prior convictions for drugs and burglary.

Now, an appeal by Mr. Smith’s lawyers has convinced a judicial panel to reconsider the life sentence. While a lower court reexamines Mr. Smith’s sentence, Mr. Smith will remain behind bars at NJ State Prison.

For more information, see the NJ.com article entitled “Court: Life Sentence for Gas Station Robber Known as ‘Righteous Mathmatics’ Doesn’t Add Up.“