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Ronald Smith Canadian On Death Row in Montana
His clemency hearing was held before the Montana Board of Pardons May 2, 2012
Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer will review the board's recommendations
and make the final decision on Ronald Smith's application for clemency.
An announcement on his decision is expected the week of May 21, 2012.
Timeline of Events in the Ronald Smith case
November 1, 2007: Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day announced the reversal of
Canada's long standing policy by the Conservative Government of Stephen Harper
to no longer advocate for clemency on behalf of Canadian's sentenced to death.
March 2008: The American Civil Liberties Union launches a legal challenge against
Montana's lethal injection protocol, arguing it a form of cruel and unusual punishment.
April 8, 2009: Justice Robert Barnes of the Federal Court of Canada condemned Prime Minister
Stephen Harper and other senior officials for arbitrarily stitching together a revamped stand on
clemency that reversed long-standing policy, effectively abandoning Mr. Smith to be executed.
Judge Barnes said in his ruling that fundamental fairness dictates that Canada move quickly
to exert its diplomatic influence to stave off Mr. Smith's impending execution and pave the
way for his possible transfer to a prison in Canada (as we did before the Conservatives).
October 29, 2010: District Court Judge Jeffrey Sherlock issued an injunction
against any lethal injections being carried out in the state.
November 1, 2011: An injunction delays Smith's date for execution
being set until the ACLU legal challenge is heard.
November 3, 2011: District court Judge John Larson overrules the injunction,
setting Smith's date of execution for Jan. 31, 2011.
December 14, 2011: Montana Supreme Court upholds the stay
pending the outcome of the ACLU's legal challenge
December 5, 2011: Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, sends a brief letter to
Montana officials stating Canada wants Smith's death sentence commuted,
but adding the government "does not sympathize with violent crime," and the
request "should not be construed as reflecting a judgment on Smith's conduct."
April 2, 2012: A four-page preliminary report to parole board members is inadvertently sent
to Smith's lawyers Don Vernay and Greg Jackson revealing the predetermined conclusion that,
"Smith does not meet any of the commutation criteria" under Montana's clemency protocols.
- Ottawa Citizen April 6,2012
April 12, 2012: The Canadian government announces Canada “will be sending an observer”
to Smith’s hearing, but that the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
has made it clear the government will not make any special submissions to the
parole panel to support the clemency effort.
“Ultimately, decisions regarding Mr. Smith’s case lie with the relevant U.S. authorities,”
said Foreign Affairs spokesperson Aliya Mawani. “Mr. Smith pleaded guilty and was
subsequently convicted of murdering two people. These were admitted crimes.”
- National Post April 12, 2012
May 2, 2012: Ronald Smith's clemency hearing before the Montana parole board.
Marie-Eve Lamy, from the Canadian Consulate General in Denver, was added as
a last-minute witness for Smith’s defense team and scheduled to read a statement
on behalf of the Harper government. The morning of the clemency hearing she advised
Smith's legal team "I just heard from headquarters that they don’t want me to read this."
and left the hearing without speaking. Smith's defense team decry this defiance as
an "incomprehensible" act of "treachery" by Canadian Government Officials.
- Toronto Star May 3, 2012
Ronald Smith's response to the CCADP's concerns November 13, 2007
Dear Mr. Parkinson and Ms. Lamourie,
Greg Jackson forwarded your letter on to me and it seemed most necessary that I respond quickly.
I have to admit that your letter caught me with almost as much surprise as the Canadian governments actions did.
I had heard that their reversal of policy had sparked a fierce debate over the death penalty
but this is considerably more than what I had been told.
While I recognize that this isn't a personal endorsement of me, it is nice,
as the only Canadian in the world with a death sentence, to see the outpouring of support.
With regard to the most recent events, to say I was extremely disappointed would be an understatement.
The original idea of clemency was brought to my attention by consular officials over 2 years ago.
I was told that the Governor himself had brought up my name and circumstances and that
Canadian officials viewed it as an opportunity
to approach him with the clemency question. They came to me to ask my permission to do so,
which I of course agreed to.
Then, three weeks ago, the Governor was on the news talking about how he had been approached about
clemency and a transfer home, and that he would be discussing it with officials during a trip to Edmonton.
A week later Stockwell Day made the announcment that the Canadian government had reversed its
stance regarding death sentenced Canadians.
To dislike or even loathe me is one thing, but to do a 180 on long standing policy is something else.
Since I am the only Canadian in the world with a death sentence,
its very difficult not to construe this as a personal attack.
An honest evaluation leaves no doubt that it's purely personal agenda on behalf of Day and Harper,
I just happen to be a convenient piece of meat to throw to the dogs and spark the debate back home.
They keep an eye on the news and polls and which ever way public opinion goes, that's they way they go.
Hopefully the events taking place will be the start needed to bring Canada back to the 21st century
and not straggling along behind the US in the 19th.
I wish you all the very best and an ap pro po slogan directly out of my time, Power To The People !
Sincerely, Ron Smith
The CCADP is encouraging
Canadians
to send Ron your letters of support:
Ronald Smith
#20055
Montana State Prison
700 Conley Lake Road
Deer Lodge, Montana
59722-9707 USA
"I want to let people know that the man I know is
not the man that everybody thinks he is.
I would like him to
look at my Dad and see how much he's changed and how
remorseful.
I go to him for
everything - good and bad. He's the one I go to for
advice."
- (Ronald's daughter)
Contact The Governor:
Governor Brian D. Schweitzer
Office of the
Governor
Montana State
Capitol Bldg.
P.O. Box 200801
Helena, MT
59620-0801
Phone: (406)
444-3111
Fax: (406)
444-5529
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The CCADP has offered free webspace to over 1000 Death Row Prisoners Since 1998
"The Eyes Of The World Are Watching Now"
Last updated May 7, 2012 Canadian Coalition Against the Death Penalty
This page is maintained and updated by Dave Parkinson and Tracy Lamourie