- Francis Clifford Smith, a US prisoner who survived eight execution dates and spent more than 70 years behind bars, has died at the age of 101.
- Smith was convicted of first-degree murder in Connecticut in 1950, when he was 25, but maintained his innocence throughout his imprisonment.
- He was accused of killing Grover Hart, a night watchman at a Connecticut yacht club, in 1949.
- Smith was scheduled for execution eight times and was given a last meal on each occasion before his execution was ultimately spared.
- In 1954, his death sentence was commuted to life in prison.
- In 2020, Smith was granted supervised parole and moved to a care facility for elderly people.
- Smith died in June at the age of 101 years old.
- Smith's guilt and the evidence on which he was convicted have been questioned over the years - namely after witnesses recanted their statements and another inmate later confessed to the murder.
- "I'm not even sure he was present at the murder," Major Leo Carroll announced to the Board of Pardons.
- Smith served more than 70 years behind bars - other than three short stints of freedom.
- Richard Sparaco, former executive director of what is now called the Board of Pardons and Paroles, told the Hartford Courant that Smith rejected several attempts afterwards to go back on parole until 2020.
Francis Clifford Smith, who spent over 70 years in prison, died in June at 101. Convicted of first-degree murder in 1950, he was sentenced to death but had his sentence commuted to life in 1954.12
Smith was accused of killing Grover Hart, a night watchman, in 1949.3
Despite being scheduled for execution eight times, he was spared each time, leading to his status as the longest-serving prisoner in the U.S.4
In 2020, he was granted supervised parole and moved to a care facility, where he reportedly experienced dementia.6
His guilt has been questioned over the years, with witnesses recanting their statements and another inmate confessing to the murder. Major Leo Carroll, a former board member, stated, "I'm not even sure he was present at the murder."89
Richard Sparaco, former executive director of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, noted that Smith rejected several parole attempts until 2020.
David Skoczulek, spokesman for the care facility, confirmed that Smith passed away in his sleep, stating, "Essentially, he died of old age."
“Smith spent over 70 years in prison, with his death sentence commuted to life in 1954. His case drew attention as witnesses recanted their statements and another inmate confessed to the murder, leading Major Leo Carroll to question Smith's presence at the crime scene.”
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