Probe in ‘Specks’ killing continues

Thursday, Oct. 24, 2002 | 9:24 a.m.

After questioning and releasing a homeless man, Metro Police homicide detectives are now seeking a different homeless man in connection with the slaying of a former "Our Gang" actor.

Lt. Tom Monahan said detectives want to talk to Charles Crombie, 52, about the death of Jay R. Smith, 87, who played a freckle-faced character called "Specks" in the series of movies in the 1920s.

Smith's stabbed and bludgeoned body was found Oct. 5 in the desert near Apex, about 15 miles north of Las Vegas. The body was identified a week ago as Smith. He was last seen alive Oct. 1.

Detectives were told that Smith allowed Graydon Brooker, 46, to stay in a tool shed that was attached to his mobile home in the gated Royal Ridge complex near Tropicana Avenue and Decatur Boulevard.

They questioned Brooker on Tuesday and determined he did not stay with Smith and was not involved in his murder. Detectives now believe Crombie stayed with Smith, and they want to find out if he has any information on the slaying.

Smith's beige 1998 Buick with Nevada plates 693JHP is missing, and his credit card was used last week at the Gold Coast.