New twist in Ronald Smith execution date
Posted Dec 11, 2010 11:55 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
There’s yet another twist in the ongoing saga of Ronald Smith, the only known Canadian on death row in the United States.
The Red Deer native had been scheduled for execution on January 31, 2011, in Montana, but an apparent rift between two judges on the matter could lead to a stay of execution.
Smith’s legal team and the American Civil Liberties Union are challenging the method of execution in Montana, saying the state uses outdated equipment for lethal injections as well as other inhumane features.
According to the Herald, the lawsuit prompted Helena-based, District Court Judge Jeffrey Sherlock to issue a stay of execution order.
Despite that order, two days later Judge John Larson of the Missoula-based District Court ordered the January 31st execution date.
Now the judge who ordered the execution date is petitioning the Montana Supreme Court, asking that his order for execution be enforced.
