Urgent Action Required in Oklahoma

May 6th, 2010 by Courtney

From the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty:

Dear Friends,

The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty wants to be sure you are aware that Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry has postponed for the second time the scheduled execution of Richard T. Smith, who is now scheduled to be killed on May 25th as punishment for his murder of John Cederlund.

Last week, Governor Henry’s office issued the following statement:

(Oklahoma City) In order to complete his review of a pending clemency recommendation, Governor Brad Henry has extended a brief stay of execution to an Oklahoma death row inmate.

Richard Tandy Smith, who was convicted of first degree murder in the 1986 shooting death of John Cederlund, was facing a May 4 execution date. The execution has been rescheduled for May 25 to allow more time to review of the case.

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recently recommended the governor commute Smith’s sentence to life in prison without parole.

In preparation for his decision, Gov. Henry has interviewed both prosecution and defense attorneys and is reviewing the case file, other supporting evidence and tapes of Smith’s clemency hearing.

During Gov. Henry’s term in office, the State Pardon and Parole Board has recommended clemency for six death row inmates, but he has approved only two, commuting the sentences to life in prison without parole.

As noted, the Pardon and Parole board has recommended clemency, and this is the second stay Governor Henry has issued in the case. YOUR ACTION TODAY could help convince Governor Henry to grant clemency in this case. Please call, fax, and e-mail Governor Henry with a brief message encouraging him to grant clemency to Richard Smith by commuting the death sentence to life imprisonment without parole.

Further details and background are available in this Urgent Action from Amnesty International.

Governor Brad Henry
State Capitol Building, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Room 212
Oklahoma City, OK 73105, USA
Fax: 405 521 3353
Phone: 405 521 2342
Email: http://www.gov.ok.gov/message.php

Thank you for taking action today!

–abe

Abraham J. Bonowitz
Director of Affiliate Support
National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty