Kenneth Smith was convicted in the 1988 murder-for-hire of a pastor’s wife. His attorneys on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay of his Thursday execution. He was sentenced to death despite a jury’s 11-1 recommendation of life imprisonment.
Kenneth Smith is on Alabama's Death Row for the killing of Elizabeth Sennett .Citing late legal challenges and a family that has “waited overlong to see justice done,” the Alabama Attorney General’s Office argued Tuesday that the U.S. Supreme Court should not block this week’s execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith.
Smith’s lawyers argued that in 1996 a judge sentenced Smith to death despite a jury’s 11-1 recommendation of life imprisonment. Alabama in 2017 became the last state tothe practice of letting judges override a jury’s sentencing recommendation in death penalty cases, but the change was not retroactive and therefore did not affect death row prisoners like Smith.
In its response Tuesday night, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office stated Smith is bringing up the argument too late. “Smith’s delay in bringing his Eighth Amendment challenge in the Alabama Supreme Court, his failure to comply with Alabama law in doing so, and his decision to bring this current challenge on the eve of execution all weighgranting him the relief he seeks,” according to court documents filed by the Attorney General.
Smith also isn’t the only one “whose interests are at stake,” the Attorney General argues. “The State of Alabama has a well-established interest in seeing that executions are carried out in a timely manner. Perhaps more importantly, Liz Sennett, Smith’s victim, has two children who have already waited overlong to see justice done. Rewarding Smith’s gamesmanship with additional delay at this late hour would work harm to those interests,” the attorney general states.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
1988 Porsche 911 Carrera Is Our Bring a Trailer Auction Pick of the DayThis 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera is our BringATrailer auction pick of the day:
Read more »
Alabama man sentenced to death over jury’s wish asks U.S. Supreme Court to stay executionLawyers on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the upcoming execution of an Alabama man who was sentenced to death over the jury’s wishes — a punishment he could not receive today since states no longer allow judicial override.
Read more »
Bryce Young's 3 TD Passes Lift Alabama Past Ole Miss - Alabama NewsBryce Young threw three touchdowns passes and No. 10 Alabama scored on four consecutive possessions spanning the second and third quarters, rallying to beat No. 11 Mississippi 30-24.
Read more »
Alabama State Falls to Florida A&M 21-14 after Wild Finish - Alabama NewsFlorida A&M's Kendall Bohler blocked a potential game-winning field goal, scooped up the ball and raced 51 yards for a touchdown as time expired and Florida A&M survived a wild finish to beat Alabama State 21-14.
Read more »
CFP Rankings: Alabama Moves Up to No. 8 after Win Against Ole Miss - Alabama NewsAlabama has moved up one spot to No. 8 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings.
Read more »
Alabama death row inmate asks court to intervene ahead of upcoming executionAlabama is set to execute a north Alabama man this week for a murder for hire plot in the late 1980’s. Kenneth Eugene Smith is now fighting to stop the execution. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals is set to hear the case Wednesday afternoon.
Read more »