'Denied': Criminal Appeals Court renders emergency stay of execution for Michael Smith
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - On Tuesday, the Court of Criminal Appeals upheld the denial of the third emergency request for stay of execution of Michael Smith.
According to Attorney General Gentner Drummond, Smith was convicted of murdering 40-year-old Janet Moore and 24-year-old Sharath Pulluru in two separate incidents on February 22, 2002.
The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board unanimously denied Smith clemency at a hearing on March 6. The state presented a book with over 100 pages of evidence to the Pardon and Parole Board in their argument to deny Smith clemency. The book contains crime scene pictures, including graphic photos showing Moore’s lifeless body on her apartment floor and Pulluru’s burned body on the floor of the convenience store.
Michael Smith's family at a news conference previously advocated saying, Smith had ineffective lawyers who failed to properly present claims that Smith wasn’t mentally fit to stand trial. They also claimed the state didn’t test certain DNA evidence they believe could have raised doubt about Smith’s involvement.
In a phone interview with News 4, Smith says, he’s innocent even offering words to the families of the victims. Smith told News 4, ” despite the conviction there are numerous inconsistencies and irregularities in my case, from representation issues in my trial and questionable interrogation process. Just that I’m sorry for their loss, and I’m not the person that killed their family members.”
Smith is scheduled to be executed Thursday, April 4, 2024.