DEER LODGE, MONT.—Emotions are expected to run high in Montana today as the only Canadian on death row in the United States pleads for his life at a clemency hearing.
Ronald Smith, 54, shot and killed two young Montana men 30 years ago while he was high on drugs and alcohol.
After decades of appeals, he has one last chance to make a case before the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole as to why he should not be executed. Once the parole board delivers its recommendation, Smith’s fate will ultimately end up in the hands of Gov. Brian Schweitzer, a Democrat whose term in office will run out in November.
“It’s got to be over. Thankfully we’ve hit this point in time where there’s no more long drawn-out waiting. We’re going to get it finished one way or the other,” Smith said in March in an interview with The Canadian Press.
“It’s time. It would be nice to keep it going for my family’s sake, but once the decision is made — and if it goes against me — it’s over. There’s nothing else to it.”
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Canada News: Death row Canadian to plead for mercy at Montana hearing - thestar.com
Ronald Smith, 54, shot and killed two young Montana men 30 years ago while he was high on drugs and alcohol.
After decades of appeals, he has one last chance to make a case before the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole as to why he should not be executed. Once the parole board delivers its recommendation, Smith’s fate will ultimately end up in the hands of Gov. Brian Schweitzer, a Democrat whose term in office will run out in November.
“It’s got to be over. Thankfully we’ve hit this point in time where there’s no more long drawn-out waiting. We’re going to get it finished one way or the other,” Smith said in March in an interview with The Canadian Press.
“It’s time. It would be nice to keep it going for my family’s sake, but once the decision is made — and if it goes against me — it’s over. There’s nothing else to it.”
more
Canada News: Death row Canadian to plead for mercy at Montana hearing - thestar.com
