Stop the Execution of Oscar Smith in Tennessee
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee
Tennessee had set an execution date of April 21, 2022 for Oscar Smith, who was convicted for the 1989 shooting and stabbing to death of his estranged wife, Judy Smith, and her sons, Jason and Chad Burnett, but it has been stayed until further notice.
Original petition language:
Read more about the case here, an article discussing Smith's motion for a stay of execution to conduct further DNA testing. Oscar Smith has always maintained his innocence. In addition to forensic concerns, multiple issues of fairness regarding Smith's jury have been raised. Read a detailed list here.
Governor Lee continues to ignore a letter asking him to come pray with the men on death row that was signed by 32 death row inmates in Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville.
Please sign the petition asking Governor Lee to do everything within his power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.
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To:
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee
From:
[Your Name]
We are writing to ask that you to stop the April 21, 2022 execution of Oscar Smith, who was convicted for the 1989 shooting and stabbing to death of his estranged wife, Judy Smith, and her sons, Jason and Chad Burnett. Mr. Smith has always maintained his innocence. Additionally, there are legitimate concerns about fairness issues within the jury which convicted and sentenced Mr. Smith.
We are concerned that while the vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend of executions, Tennessee continues to go against trend by carrying on an aggressive execution schedule, even during the global COVID pandemic.
We, the undersigned, ask that you do everything within your power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.
We also add our voices to those of the prisoners on death row and urge you to respond to their request that you visit and pray with them.