The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board Turnover Brings Questions About Future Cases, Board Members

Two of five members of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board turned in their resignation letters this month. Former Chairman Robert Smothermon and board member Cathy Stocker both resigned from a body that’s made clemency decisions on multiple high-profile death row cases, including Richard Glossip.

Related:

1. Oklahoma Attorney General Seeking More Time In Richard Glossip Case
2. Death Row Inmate Richard Glossip's Execution Remains On Hold After Supreme Court Decision
3. Rally Held In Support Of Death Row Inmate Richard Glossip At Oklahoma Capitol

“It's a tough job,” said Rep. Kevin McDugle (R-Broken Arrow).

“It’s five members deciding who lives, who dies, does somebody get commutation, does somebody not get commutation,” said News 9 Legal Analyst, Irven Box.

Stocker sent her resignation letter on July 12, saying she planned to resign on August 9th, after the scheduled clemency hearing that day. The hearing was for Anthony Sanchez, but was canceled.

In her resignation letter, Stocker said, “this service has not been a good fit with the rest of my life,” citing the time each month she spent receiving applications, investigative reports for various dockets and additional time spent when there is a clemency hearing.

“There are hundreds of cases each month,” said Pardon and Parole Board Chairman, Tom Bates.

In his resignation letter, Richard Smothermon, said his decision “while difficult, is based on a variety of factors.” He went on to say the work he has done on the board, “has been some of the most rewarding work I’ve done in my long career.”

“From reading between the lines on the letters from both of them, I think they're ready to get that pressure off them and go on and pursue their life,” said Box.

Pardon and Parole Board Chairman, Tom Bates, explained that members serve on the board as a part-time job, getting paid just over $22,000 a year. He explains many of them have other jobs, regardless of the time being a board member takes up.

This board has also been the deciding body on a number of high-profile death row cases, including Richard Glossip.

“This is big, as far as what's going on with the Richard Glossip case now,” said Box.

Smotherman was the justice that didn’t vote in Glossip's last clemency hearing, resulting in a 2-2 vote.

“Richard Smothermon had to be rescued because his wife was involved in the case,” said Rep. McDugle.

Richard Smothermon’s wife, Connie, was the prosecutor on Glossip’s case.

Rep. McDugle has been fighting to get Richard Glossip off death row for years, maintaining the belief that Glossip didn’t get a fair trial.

“In Richard Glossip’s case they destroyed 10 items in a box of evidence. Connie Smothermon had Justin Sneed change his testimony to fit her narrative,” said Rep. McDugle.

Rep. McDugle is hoping that the new board members take a hard look at Glossip's case.

“All I really want is for them to say ‘listen, we could have made mistakes in the past. Let's recognize those mistakes,’” said Rep. McDugle.

Stocker held a governor-appointed position, and Governor Kevin Stitt filled that vacancy, appointing Kevin Buchanan. Buchanan was appointed on August 3rd and will serve a term that expires in 2027.

That is one of three positions that the governor appoints, while the State Supreme Court appoints the other two.

“Different personalities, different backgrounds, different experiences can change the dynamic of that board,” said Rep. McDugle.

Smothermon was appointed by the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The chief justice has yet to fill the vacancy, but Bates expects a new member before the next clemency hearing.

“I mean, it could be today, maybe next week,” said Bates.

“It could totally change the dynamics of that parole board and we could see maybe a lot of different results from the board depending on who the appointees are,” said Box.

The Pardon and Parole Board has their next regular meeting set for September 11-13th at the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority. The next clemency hearing is set for death row inmate Phillip Hancock on November 8th.