GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY, Wash. — Steven Smith was sentenced Friday in Grays Harbor County Superior Court to the maximum allowable sentence of 31.9 years in prison following his conviction for First-Degree Murder in the death of Bryce Bitar.

Smith was found guilty after a six-day jury trial. Jurors deliberated for less than three hours before returning a guilty verdict, a result law enforcement officials described as a reflection of the overwhelming evidence presented during the case.

During sentencing, Grays Harbor County Superior Court Judge Katie Svoboda expressed frustration with current Washington state sentencing laws, noting that the court's ability to impose longer prison terms for the most serious crimes is limited by state law.

The conviction stems from the August 8, 2024, killing of Bitar. What initially began as a response to an "unknown problem" call on Sumner Avenue quickly developed into a homicide investigation.

According to Hoquiam Police Chief Joe Strong, patrol officers responding to the scene discovered circumstances that led them to believe a suspicious death had occurred. Detective Sergeant Spaur took the lead on the investigation, assisted by then-Detective Simpson, Detective Fernandez, members of the Hoquiam Police Department, and personnel from the Aberdeen Police Department and Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office.

In a message to department staff following Smith's conviction, Chief Strong praised the extensive investigative work that led to the guilty verdict.

"Each minute every assisting officer put into this case was valuable," Strong wrote, specifically recognizing Detective Sergeant Spaur for his leadership and dedication throughout the investigation and trial preparation.

Strong also commended Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Dan Crawford and Deputy Prosecutor Tony Carlow for their presentation of what he described as a complex case.

The sentencing hearing included emotional victim impact statements from Bryce Bitar's parents, who spoke about the devastating loss of their son and the lasting impact the crime has had on their family.

Law enforcement officials also acknowledged the jury members who were required to review graphic evidence and testimony throughout the trial, recognizing the difficult role they played in the justice process.

Officials further highlighted the work of all participants in the judicial process, including the prosecution team, defense attorney Albie Didcock, and Judge Svoboda and her court staff. While prosecutors successfully secured a conviction and the maximum sentence allowed under state law, law enforcement leaders expressed disappointment that a longer sentence was not available.

"A measure of justice was served today, and a violent predator will be in prison for a long time," Interim Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Salstrom said. "We just wish it was longer."

The sentence concludes a case that has spanned nearly two years and involved extensive investigative work by multiple agencies across Grays Harbor County.