Oklahoma’s Controversial Execution: The Case of Michael Dewayne Smith
Before Smith’s Death Sentence
Oklahoma resumed its use of the death penalty in 2021 after nearly a six-year hiatus, marking a significant and controversial return to state-sanctioned executions. The execution of Michael Dewayne Smith, a 41-year-old Black man, on Thursday has reignited debates over the death penalty, particularly concerning racial disparities, drug use, and intellectual disability within the criminal justice system.
Smith, who had been on death row for about 20 years, was linked to three murders and was sentenced to death for the February 2002 killings of Janet Moore, 40, and Sharath Pulluru, 22. Despite his initial confession, Smith later professed his innocence, citing inconsistencies and a lack of memory due to drug use at the time of the crimes. His case brings to light the complexities and potential injustices within the death penalty process, especially for marginalized individuals.
The Role of Race and Intellectual Disability in Smith’s Case
The execution of Michael Dewayne Smith underscores the intersection of race and the criminal justice system. Smith, a Black man, represented the disproportionate number of African Americans on death row in the United States. His case also highlights the ongoing debate regarding the execution of individuals with intellectual disabilities, despite a 2002 U.S. Supreme Court ruling deeming it unconstitutional.
Smith’s intellectual capabilities were questioned, with IQ scores ranging from 71 to 79, barely above the threshold for intellectual disability. This aspect of his case, coupled with his race, paints a troubling picture of the factors that may influence death penalty sentences in Oklahoma and across the country.
Oklahoma’s Execution History and Lethal Injection Protocol
Oklahoma has a notorious history of botched executions, which has led to a reevaluation of its lethal injection protocol. Despite a decrease in executions nationwide, the state has aggressively scheduled death sentences since lifting its moratorium. This move has sparked criticism and calls for a more humane and reliable method of execution, amid concerns about the constitutionality and ethical implications of lethal injections.
The execution of Smith not only revives the debate over lethal injection but also calls into question the state’s commitment to justice and human rights. As Oklahoma continues to carry out death sentences, the effectiveness and morality of the death penalty remain under scrutiny.
Looking Forward
The execution of Michael Dewayne Smith raises important questions about the future of the death penalty in Oklahoma and the United States. As society grapples with issues of racial injustice, intellectual disability, and the ethics of state-sanctioned killing, the case of Smith serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of capital punishment. Will Oklahoma reconsider its approach to the death penalty, or will it continue down a path that many view as increasingly incompatible with contemporary standards of justice and human rights?