Family advocates for loved one on death row
A family is pushing to get their loved one off of death row. Despite being found guilty for two 2002 murders, Michael Smith's family believes he is innocent.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok (KFOR) - A family is pushing to get their loved one off of death row. Despite being found guilty for two 2002 murders, Michael Smith's family believes he is innocent.
The Attorney General is asking the parole board to reject his clemency and said "he is a ruthless killer who confessed to his crimes on multiple occasions."
"April 4th is the date that they will kill my cousin. And there's not enough evidence to kill this man," said Cameron Dukes, Michael Smith's cousin.
Janet Moore and Sharath Pulluru were killed in February of 2002. The court convicted Michael Smith for their murders.
"The picture they painted of my brother is not him at all. Not at all. I mean, he's a good guy, good hearted guy, good family guy, you know? I mean, we miss him," said Yusuf Smith, Michael Smith's brother.
His family and friends said Smith is innocent and believe there's flaws in the case.
"When Michael was being interrogated, he was high off of PCP. There are a lot of statements that he made that, you know, that he was high," said Dukes.
The clemency packet from the Attorney General shows while talking to detectives, Smith claimed Janet Moore "was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."
The packet also shows Smith referencing Sharath Pulluru's death and said, "I pulled out my gun and shot his a**.
The Attorney General said evidence from both murder scenes supports Smith's confession.
In the early 2000's, former Oklahoma County District Attorney, Wes Lane talked with News 4.
"We have learned that there was, in fact, a very clear connection, and it was all about vengeance," said Former District Attorney Wes Lane.
Smith's family said the case against their loved one deserves a second look. They point to another high-profile death row inmate.
"If you look at the Glossip case, you have the same lead detectives, you have the same prosecutors, you have the same judge, the same people who withheld medical records for almost 20 years," said Larry Locke, a friend of Michael Smith's family.
"I just want to say that as a family, all we want is justice," said Dukes.
Michael Smith's clemency hearing is this Wednesday. He is scheduled to be executed Thursday, April 4th.