Michael DeWayne Smith, convicted of killing two people in Oklahoma City over two decades ago, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals denied Smith’s fourth request for an emergency stay of execution. Despite his claim of innocence at a clemency hearing, where he apologized to the victims’ families, Smith was denied clemency by the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board in a 4-1 vote. Prosecutors say Smith, a gang member, killed both victims in acts of revenge and confessed to his involvement in the killings.
Smith’s attorney argued that he is intellectually disabled, worsened by years of heavy drug use, and should be allowed to spend the rest of his life in prison. The attorney claimed that Smith was in a PCP-induced haze when he confessed to police and that key elements of his confession are not supported by facts. The Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty plans to protest Smith’s execution outside the Governor’s Mansion in Oklahoma City, demanding that Governor Kevin Stitt intervene to halt the execution. Smith’s family has also petitioned the governor, claiming that witnesses were coerced during the trial, and presenting new evidence in Smith’s case.
The execution of Michael DeWayne Smith will be Oklahoma’s 12th execution since capital punishment resumed in 2021. Smith is set to be the first convict executed by the state in 2024. The protest outside the Governor’s Mansion is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. local time, with Smith’s execution set for 10:00 a.m. Smith’s case has sparked controversy and debate surrounding the death penalty, with both supporters and opponents of capital punishment speaking out. The Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty believes that Governor Stitt should intervene to prevent Smith’s execution, citing concerns about potential coercion of witnesses during the trial.
Despite Smith’s repeated claims of innocence and his emotional apology to the families of the victims, he has been denied clemency and faces execution. Prosecutors maintain that Smith was responsible for the killings and that he confessed to his involvement in the crimes. Smith’s attorney argues that his client is intellectually disabled and should not face the death penalty, especially considering his history of heavy drug use. The case highlights the ongoing debate over the use of the death penalty in the United States and has prompted calls for Governor Stitt to intervene and halt Smith’s execution.
The upcoming execution of Michael DeWayne Smith has raised questions about the fairness and reliability of the criminal justice system, with concerns about potential coercion of witnesses and the accuracy of Smith’s confession. The Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty is advocating for Governor Stitt to intervene and prevent Smith’s execution, pointing to new evidence and the possibility of witness coercion during the trial. The case has also reignited discussions about the use of the death penalty in Oklahoma and across the country, with both supporters and opponents of capital punishment voicing their opinions on the matter.
