Spared execution eight times, oldest inmate in US dies at 101

Francis Clifford Smith, now 101 years old, was the oldest inmate in the United States before his passing in June. He had been spared from execution eight separate times despite maintaining his innocence throughout his lengthy incarceration. Convicted of murder in 1950 when he was only 25 years old for the killing of Grover Hart, Smith was one of two men arrested for the crime.

The other man opted for a plea deal and testified against Smith, leading to his conviction for first-degree murder. However, doubts about Smith's guilt arose as witnesses recanted their statements and another inmate confessed to the murder. Smith's interrogator later testified that he believed Smith was innocent, and his death sentence was commuted to life in prison in 1954.

Over the course of his incarceration, which spanned more than seven decades, Smith served several short periods of freedom. He was even known as the "Birdman of Osborn" for feeding the birds while incarcerated. Despite multiple attempts to regain parole, Smith was eventually granted supervised parole in 2020 and moved to a care home for the elderly within the justice system.