Clemency bid for Canadian on death row in Montana awaits action from governor

Montana's governor is being asked to act on a petition to spare the life of a Canadian who's been on death row in the United States for over three decades.

Ronald Smith, who is originally from Red Deer, Alta., has been on death row since 1983 for fatally shooting two young men while he was high on LSD and alcohol near East Glacier, Montana.

The petition for clemency was given to former Governor Brian Schweitzer four years ago but he chose not to deal with it before finishing his term in office.

It's been sitting on the desk of his successor, Governor Steve Bullock, ever since.

Smith's lawyer says he has met with the Canadian consulate, who is backing Smith's request for clemency.

All executions in Montana have been put on hold since a legal challenge in 2008.

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