Wednesday, March 09, 2005

William H. Smith - Ohio

The State of Ohio executed William H. Smith yesterday morning. Smith died at 10:19 a.m. after asking the grandson of his victim, Mary Bradford, for forgiveness.

Smith was diagnosed with a brain lesion after being sent to death row. His attorneys argued unsuccessfully that Smith may have been spared the death penalty had they known of the brain lesion before his sentencing.

Once again, this is the case of a murder that happened under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Smith and Bradford spent some time drinking and then used cocaine together shortly before Smith killed her. One has to wonder what affect the drugs and alcohol had on Smith's state of mind.

In Smith's last statement he very poignantly said "I cannot control anything from this day on. Find the right way. Be a better person than I am. Don't wait until its too late to try to save somebody else."

William H. Smith Executed

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