A Tennessee death row inmate executed despite claims of innocence and DNA evidence

Cultures · Published 11 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Oscar Franklin Smith was scheduled for execution multiple times before his death in 2025. Despite presenting new DNA evidence and claiming the justice system was broken, he was ultimately executed by lethal injection, leaving behind a legacy of legal controversy and disputed forensic evidence.

Oscar Franklin Smith was convicted of the 1989 murders of his estranged wife, Judy Robirds Smith, and her two sons, Chad and Jason Burnett, in Nashville, Tennessee. The crime scene involved both gunfire and stabbing, with an awl recovered at the location. While a bloody palm print was found near Judy's body, Smith's defense argued that the print was missing the same two fingers Smith himself was missing, though a fingerprint expert later contested the definitive nature of that identification. Smith was one of seven children born in Ohio. He had previously married a waitress from a Waffle House.

The legal battle for Smith's life was marked by significant delays and procedural failures. His execution was postponed several times, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and once in April 2022 due to a state oversight. In that instance, Governor Bill Lee halted the execution because the lethal injection chemicals had been tested for sterility and potency, but not for endotoxins. This error led to a suspension of all Tennessee executions for the remainder of 2022 and a complete overhaul of the state's lethal injection protocols. The inmate had previously taken out insurance policies on all three victims. He had also filed a clemency petition to avoid life without parole.

In his final moments on May 22, 2025, Smith maintained his innocence, stating that the justice system does not work. His execution by lethal injection occurred at 10:47 am, following his refusal to choose a specific method of execution. His case remains a focal point for discussions regarding the efficacy of forensic technology and the devastating social consequences of domestic violence. His final meal consisted of tater tots, hot dogs, and apple pie. He was the nineteenth person executed in the United States that year.

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