The_RANDy_Corporation
04-10-2001, 09:10 AM
Apr 10, 2001 - 08:47 AM
Oklahoma Gov. Keating Commutes Death Sentence
By Ron Jenkins
Associated Press Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Frank Keating commuted the death sentence of a convicted murderer to life in prison without parole, the first death row commutation in the state in 35 years.
Phillip Dewitt Smith had been convicted of the 1983 beating death of Matthew Taylor at Taylor's apartment in Muskogee. But the prosecution's star witness later recanted testimony placing Smith at the crime scene.
Smith had been scheduled for execution March 8. Keating issued a 30-day stay March 2, the day after the state Pardon and Parole Board recommended clemency. He extended that stay for another 30 days last week while he considered his decision.
Whole AP story is here. (http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAJUBVMDLC.html)
Oklahoma Gov. Keating Commutes Death Sentence
By Ron Jenkins
Associated Press Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Frank Keating commuted the death sentence of a convicted murderer to life in prison without parole, the first death row commutation in the state in 35 years.
Phillip Dewitt Smith had been convicted of the 1983 beating death of Matthew Taylor at Taylor's apartment in Muskogee. But the prosecution's star witness later recanted testimony placing Smith at the crime scene.
Smith had been scheduled for execution March 8. Keating issued a 30-day stay March 2, the day after the state Pardon and Parole Board recommended clemency. He extended that stay for another 30 days last week while he considered his decision.
Whole AP story is here. (http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAJUBVMDLC.html)