May 23

Mo. Convict Executed for 1987 Death

 By DAVID SCOTT,  - Twice-convicted murderer Samuel D. Smith was executed by injection Wednesday for killing another inmate during a prison knife fight. Smith died at 9:07 p.m., three minutes after the first of three drugs were administered at the Potosi Correctional Center, said Department of Corrections spokesman Tim Kniest. Smith was the fourth inmate killed by the state this year and the 50th since 1989, when Missouri reinstated the death penalty. His death followed a day of deliberation by the Missouri Supreme Court after a last-minute appeal that prompted the court to grant a stay at 1 a.m. Wednesday shortly before Smith was to die. The appeal argued that prosecutors suppressed important evidence during trial. Fourteen hours later, the state's highest court turned down the appeal, clearing the way for his execution. Smith was sentenced to death for killing fellow inmate Marlin May during a knife fight in 1987. Smith was serving two concurrent 12-year sentences for second-degree murder and first-degree burglary, along with a consecutive two-year term for escape prior to conviction. Aritha Payne, May's mother, urged the state to halt the execution. ``I think her voice is more important than mine,'' Smith told The Associated Press Tuesday. ``If anyone is allowed to speak about this, it should be her.''