Canadian on death row seeks clemency

Work is underway on a clemency application for a former Alberta man who is sitting on death row in Montana.

A stay of Ronald Smith's execution was upheld earlier this month following a complex legal battle regarding jurisdictional matters, but his lawyer says that will probably only be temporary.

Lawyers will prepare to make their case for mercy before the state board of pardons and parole and Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

The key will be to convince the board that Smith is a changed man and that he received poor legal representation when he pleaded guilty and asked for the death penalty after killing two young Montana men in 1982, lawyer Greg Jackson said.

A spokeswoman for Amnesty International U.S.A. said since 1976, only about six per cent of requests for clemency have been granted.

Smith, 53, who is originally from Red Deer, was convicted of murdering Harvey Madman, 24, and Thomas Running Rabbit, 20, near East Glacier, Mont., while he was high on drugs and alcohol.

He was scheduled to be put to death on Jan. 31.

Smith is the only Canadian on death row in the United States.