Francis Clifford Smith, believed to be the longest-serving prisoner in U.S. history, died at the age of 101 in late June at a secured nursing facility in Connecticut. Smith had been convicted of murder and had his execution scheduled and postponed eight times over the years while maintaining his innocence. He was sentenced to death in 1949 for the fatal shooting of Grover Hart, a night watchman, during an attempted robbery. Smith's death sentence was commuted to life in prison in 1954, and he served 76 years behind bars, with brief periods of freedom. Despite various developments that raised questions about his conviction, including recantations from witnesses, Smith never received a new trial. He was reported to have had dementia towards the end of his life.
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Longest-serving US prisoner Francis Clifford Smith dies at age 101
Francis Clifford Smith, the longest-serving prisoner in U.S. history, passed away at 101 years old in a Connecticut nursing facility. Convicted of murder in 1949, he maintained his innocence throughout his life and had his execution postponed eight times. Smith served 76 years in prison before his death.
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Francis Clifford Smith
Grover Hart
David Skoczulek
Leo Carroll
Andrius Banevicius
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Longest-serving US prisoner dies at 101 after escaping death penalty 8 times
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Longest-serving US prisoner Francis Clifford Smith dies at age 101