Killer’s Execution Stayed

The execution of convicted killer Sam Smith, which had been scheduled for 12:01 this morning at the prison in Potosi, has been stayed. That stay was issued by the Missouri Supreme Court shortly before midnight following a “last minute” appeal by Smith’s lawyer. The earliest Smith could be put to death would be this afternoon. The the death warrant is good for 24 hours and expires at midnight. Smith was sentenced to death for the stabbing death of a fellow inmate at the Jefferson City prison in January of 1987.