A man sentenced to death for the 1989 murder of his wife and her two sons was executed in Tennessee on Thursday, according to the state’s Department of Correction.
Oscar Smith, 75, was the third death row inmate to be executed in the United States this week, all of which were carried out by lethal injection.
Smith was pronounced dead at 10:47 am local time (1547 GMT) at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, Tennessee.
He was convicted of fatally shooting and stabbing his estranged wife, Judy Smith, and her two sons, Chad and Jason Burnett, in 1989.
Mike Robirds and Terri Osborne, Judy’s siblings, said in a statement that the pain of losing their sister and nephews “is something we will continue to carry.”
“Through our heartbreak, we are reminded of the devastating consequences of domestic violence,” the statement said.
“This tragedy is not only a personal loss — it is part of a much larger issue that affects countless families across our society.”
There have been 19 executions in the United States this year: 15 by lethal injection, two by firing squad and two using nitrogen gas.
The death penalty has been abolished in 23 of the 50 US states, while three others — California, Oregon and Pennsylvania — have moratoriums in place.
President Donald Trump is a proponent of capital punishment and called on his first day in office for an expansion of its use “for the vilest crimes.”
-Advertisement-
Grab our latest Magazine, "Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN, A man of wide horizons and deep intentions". Get your order fast and stress free.
For more details about Newswire Law&Events Magazine, kindly reach out to us on 08039218044, 09070309355. Email: newswiremagazine@yahoo.co.uk. You will be glad you did
Download E-MagazineDo you want to be heard, your events covered, your articles published, or need to advertise your products and services on our Blog and Magazine, reach out to us at Newswire Law and Events, you will be glad you did. For more details about our services, please call: 08039218044, 09070309355. Email: newswiremagazine@yahoo.co.uk
