Oklahoma Gears Up to Carry Out Execution of Man Convicted in 2002 Double Murder

Oklahoma City is gearing up for the execution of Michael Dewayne Smith, a 41-year-old man convicted of the brutal murders of Janet Moore, 41, and Sharath Pulluru, 22, more than two decades ago. Smith is set to receive a lethal injection on Thursday for the separate shootings that took place in February 2002.

This execution will mark the first in Oklahoma this year and the twelfth since the state resumed executions in 2021 after a lengthy hiatus due to issues with previous executions in 2014 and 2015.

During a clemency hearing last month, Smith expressed remorse to the families of the victims but maintained his innocence, claiming he was high on drugs and doesn’t even remember being arrested. However, prosecutors argue that Smith was a ruthless gang member seeking revenge when he killed Moore and Pulluru.

Smith’s attorney, Mark Henricksen, has argued that his client is intellectually disabled due to years of heavy drug use and should be spared from execution. Henricksen claims that Smith’s confession was made in a drug-induced haze and lacks factual support.

Despite the plea for clemency, the board voted 4-1 against granting it to Smith.

As the date of the execution approaches, the community is divided on whether justice will truly be served in this long-awaited case.