Longest-serving inmate in US history dies at 101 after dodging death penalty

Smith was sentenced to death in 1950 for murder but maintained his innocence. He served about 70 years in prison, the longest in US history. Smith's death sentence was commuted just hours before execution.

Longest-serving inmate in US history dies at 101 after dodging death penalty
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Updated Aug 21, 2026 First published Aug 20, 2026
society crime North America
Mestios ReporterCole HarrisonAlex Moreno

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