LOOKING FOR SOME HOT SPOTS LATE TODAY. WELL, DEVELOPING NOW, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS GATHERING AT THE STATE CAPITOL IN SUPPORT OF DEATH ROW INMATE MICHAEL SMITH. THEY SAY THAT HE SHOULD NOT BE EXECUTED BECAUSE THEY CLAIM HIS CASE IS RIDDLED WITH INCONSISTENCY. WE WANT TO BRING KOCO ABIGAIL OGLE BACK TO STUDIO HERE, ABBY. HIS FAMILY SAYS THAT HE’S BEEN RAILROADED FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS CASE. RIGHT. SO LET’S GET TO SOME OF THEIR CLAIMS. HIS FAMILY SAYS THE PROBLEM START WITH WHAT THEY CALL A FALSE CONFESSION, AND THEN WITNESS MANIPULATION AND THEY EVEN POINT TO INEFFECTIVE COUNSEL. MICHAEL SMITH WAS CONVICTED FOR MURDERING TWO PEOPLE IN FEBRUARY OF 20 OF 2002, IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS, A 40 YEAR OLD MOM AND A 24 YEAR OLD STORE CLERK TODAY, THE FAMILY HELD A MEDIA CONFERENCE AT THE STATE CAPITOL TO BRING AWARENESS TO HIS CASE. THEY SAY INVESTIGATORS LED WITNESSES TO POINT THE FINGER AT MICHAEL. THE CONFESSION DOESN’T MATCH THE CRIME SCENE, SO THEY TOOK THE WITNESSES AND HAD THEM TO SPEAK AND SAY THINGS TO MATCH HIS CONFESSION, WHICH IS AGAINST THE LAW AND IS A CRIME. THE FAMILY SAYS MICHAEL MADE HIS CONFESSION WHILE ON DRUGS. THEY ALSO SAY NOT ONLY ARE THEY ADVOCATING FOR FOR HIM, BUT FOR EVERYONE. THEY SAY DESERVES THEIR FAIR SHAKE AT DUE PROCESS. IT’S JUST A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON IN THIS CASE THAT’S BEING UNHEARD OF AND BEING OVERLOOKED AND WE’RE HERE TODAY TO SEEK JUSTICE. WE’RE HERE TODAY TO, UH, LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT, UM, NO MATTER YOUR RACE, COLOR, CREED, INNOCENT OR GUILTY, YOU’RE STILL DUE CONSTITUTIONAL, RIGHT? YOU STILL ELIGIBLE FOR DUE PROCESS. EVERYBODY NEEDS TO KNOW THAT, UM, OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM IS CORRUPT. MICHAEL SMITH IS THE NEXT INMATE UP TO BE EXECUTED HERE IN OUR STATE IN ABOUT A MONTH. HE HAS
Family of death row inmate Michael Smith says case is riddled with inconsistencies
They claimed the problems start with what they call a 'false confession,' and continue with witness manipulation and ineffective counsel
Updated: 5:16 PM CST Mar 4, 2024
Family and community activists gathered Monday at the state Capitol in support of death row inmate Michael Smith. Those attending the rally said Smith should not be executed because they claim his case is riddled with inconsistencies. His family also said they have railroaded since the beginning of his case. | MORE | Oklahoma AG asks that clemency be denied for death row inmate Michael Dewayne SmithThey claimed the problems start with what they call a "false confession," and continue with witness manipulation and ineffective council. Smith was convicted of murdering two people in February 2002, in separate incidents. A 40-year-old mother and a 24-year-old store clerk were those killed. During the press conference at the state Capitol, Smith's family said investigators led witnesses to point the finger at Smith. "The confession doesn't match the crime scene, so they took the witnesses, had them say things that matched his confession, which is crime," said Smith's brother. The family said they are not only advocating for Smith, but they said everyone deserves a fair shake at due process. "There's a lot of things going on this case that are being unheard of and overlooked, and we're here today to seek justice. We're here today to let everyone know, no matter your race color, creed, innocent or guilty, you are still due constitutional right. You're still eligible for due process," said Smith's brother. "Everyone needs to know our justice system is corrupt." Smith's clemency hearing before the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board is scheduled for Wednesday. Top Headlines Investigation underway after woman shot at northeast Oklahoma City motel Giant spiders and their 6-foot webs are invading American cities Person hit by car after falling off scooter in southwest Oklahoma City 15-year-old pinned under Polaris Ranger near Binger flown to hospital in critical condition 2 teenagers hospitalized after vehicle going about 100 mph crashes near Ada, OHP says
OKLAHOMA CITY — Family and community activists gathered Monday at the state Capitol in support of death row inmate Michael Smith.
Those attending the rally said Smith should not be executed because they claim his case is riddled with inconsistencies. His family also said they have railroaded since the beginning of his case.
| MORE | Oklahoma AG asks that clemency be denied for death row inmate Michael Dewayne Smith
They claimed the problems start with what they call a "false confession," and continue with witness manipulation and ineffective council.
Smith was convicted of murdering two people in February 2002, in separate incidents. A 40-year-old mother and a 24-year-old store clerk were those killed.
During the press conference at the state Capitol, Smith's family said investigators led witnesses to point the finger at Smith.
"The confession doesn't match the crime scene, so they took the witnesses, had them say things that matched his confession, which is crime," said Smith's brother.
The family said they are not only advocating for Smith, but they said everyone deserves a fair shake at due process.
"There's a lot of things going on this case that are being unheard of and overlooked, and we're here today to seek justice. We're here today to let everyone know, no matter your race color, creed, innocent or guilty, you are still due constitutional right. You're still eligible for due process," said Smith's brother. "Everyone needs to know our justice system is corrupt."
Smith's clemency hearing before the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board is scheduled for Wednesday.
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