Attorney General's News Release

April 26, 2001

Missouri Supreme Court sets May 23 execution date for man convicted of 1987 Jefferson City prison murder

Jefferson City, Mo. — The Missouri Supreme Court today set a May 23 execution date for Sam Smith, convicted of the January 1987 stabbing murder of fellow inmate Marlin May at the state penitentiary in Jefferson City. At the time of the murder, Smith was serving a sentence for second-degree murder.

Smith stabbed May 19 times during a scuffle that was broken up by corrections officers, who had to use mace on Smith to stop the knife attack. He was convicted and sentenced to death in Callaway County.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

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