Man to spend decades behind bars for 'senseless' murder of Delaware father

EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this story gave the incorrect date of the murder. It was March 13, 2023.

A Maryland man who fatally shot a 36-year-old Delaware father last spring after harassing him for years will spend more than 30 years behind bars for the killing.

Steven Smith, 37, pleaded guilty last month to second-degree murder and gun charges for the March 13, 2023, killing of Charles "Jamie" Kupidlowski.

Kupidlowski was gunned down near Felton after agreeing to meet Smith at a known hangout spot, according to police and Kristen Legates, Kupidlowski's ex-girlfriend and the mother of his son. She and Kupidlowski's son, Jakoby, spoke with Delaware Online/The News Journal last year.

When Kupidlowski arrived at the meetup spot, Smith began shooting at him with a rifle. Smith then fled back to his Maryland home.

Smith was later arrested by law enforcement in that state.

INITIAL STORY: He 'had his demons,' but the man shot dead in Felton 'was worth saving,' his family says

While police did not give a motive for the murder, Legates said the meeting had to do with a woman that Kupidlowski and Smith were feuding about. Legates and Kupidlowski ended their romantic relationship years ago but had remained close friends.

"He lost his life over something senseless," Legates said last year. "I just don't know how you live with yourself. Now my son has to grow up without his father."

Kupidlowski 'was worth saving'

Though Kupidlowski "had his demons," his son said, he had endless love for his family.

The 36-year-old would stop everything at the drop of a hat if he was needed. Even in the depths of his struggles with addiction, Legates and Jakoby said, he made time for his son.

Kupidlowski's addiction had worried his family for years, and several months before his death, he had been hospitalized with blood clots in his arms and legs caused by the drug use.

Legates had warned him that he wouldn't live much longer if he didn't get clean. He had said he would eventually check into a treatment center. Yet he was killed before he had the chance to.

At the time, Legates said the manner in which her longtime friend died was a "nightmare."

"He was worth saving," Legates said last year.

Smith was sentenced to 35 years in prison followed by probation.

Got a story tip or idea? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com. For all things breaking news, follow her on X at @izzihughes_

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Man to spend decades behind bars for 'senseless' murder of Delaware father