US prisoner who survived eight execution dates dies at 101

Francis Clifford Smith, a man who famously survived eight scheduled execution dates, has died at the age of 101. Smith spent more than seven decades behind bars in Connecticut after being convicted of first-degree murder in 1950, though he consistently maintained his innocence.

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I’m not even sure he was present at the murder.

Smith was accused of killing a night watchman at a Connecticut yacht club in 1949. While he was convicted and sentenced to death, doubts about his guilt surfaced over the years. These included recanted witness statements, a confession from another inmate, and even a statement from one of the interrogating officers who believed Smith might not have been present at the crime scene.

His numerous execution dates were ultimately stayed, allowing him to live through decades of imprisonment. Smith experienced brief periods of freedom, including an escape in 1967 that lasted 12 days and a temporary release for Christmas in 1974. He was granted parole in 1975 but violated it shortly after by being arrested for petty larceny and weapon possession.

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He would stuff as much bread as he could … in his clothing.

In his later years, Smith was known for feeding birds within the prison, earning him the nickname "The Birdman of Osborn." He was eventually granted supervised parole in 2020 and moved to a nursing facility. His case highlights the complex issues surrounding aging prison populations and the long-term implications of the justice system.

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Essentially, he died of old age.