Spared execution eight times, oldest inmate in US dies at 101
Francis Clifford Smith, the longest-serving prisoner in the US, has died at age 101 after serving over 70 years for a 1950 murder conviction. Smith maintained his innocence throughout his life, and his case was marked by multiple stayed executions and questions regarding the evidence against him.
Why it matters
The case raises long-standing questions about the US justice system, the reliability of witness testimony, and the ethics of long-term incarceration.
Image source, Andrius Banevicius By Kathryn Armstrong and Nardine Saad Published 13 minutes ago Francis Clifford Smith was given his last meal eight times.
But after being spared execution each time, he went on to be regarded as the longest serving prisoner in the US before dying at 101 years old.
Convicted of murder in 1950 when he was 25, he always maintained his innocence, those who knew him told the BBC.
Andrius Banevicius, the public information officer for Connecticut's Department of Correction, recounted how Smith used to feed the birds while in Osborn prison, earning him the nickname The Birdman of Osborn.
"He would stuff as much bread as he could … in his clothing," Banevicius said, adding: "Everyone kind of turned a blind eye to it because they knew he was just feeding the birds."
One of Alcatraz's last living inmates on Trump's plan to reopen prison
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in