J.B. Hamby's murderer denied parole - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TJ · 09-02-2003, 08:48 PM

http://www.claremoreprogress.com/php...e.php?sid=9869

The man who gunned down Catoosa Police Chief J.B. Hamby about 25 years ago won’t be getting out of prison any time soon.

David Gordon Smith, convicted by a Rogers County jury and sentenced to life in prison, didn’t make it past the first stage of the state pardon and parole board’s three stage hearing last week.

An official of the board said the vote was 3-2, the same as it was in May 2001 when he was denied parole.

Only written comments were presented at the first stage hearing, according to a new law.

Hamby died when he rushed to answer a burglary alarm in the Catoosa tag agency. He chased the suspects out of the tag office and fell dead from gunshot wounds at a nearby laundromat.

Smith was captured later in the day after seeking medical treatment at a Tulsa hospital.

Rogers County District Attorney Gene Hayes, who submitted written comments in protest to Smith’s release, had not heard of the decision Saturday morning.

Young enough at the time of Hamby’s killing to barely remember it, Haynes was thrown into the case when Smith sought post-conviction relief.

Former Nowata County Judge Jim Sontag issued a ruling denying post conviction relief.

Smith escaped from prison and was on the lam about eight years before being captured in Spearfish, S.D., identified from the television series “Unsolved Mysteries.”

When he came up for parole in 2001, Patrick Morgan, who retired as Oklahoma County District Attorney Bob Macy’s first assistant, was one of the two who voted for parole.

Under the new state law, if an inmate makes it through the first stage of a hearing, the second stage meeting is set for public comments. The final stage is signing by the governor.

Ordinarily an inmate would not be on the parole docket so soon after denial, Hamby’s brother, David, learned.

Several members of the Rogers County jury responded angrily about the application for post conviction relief and personal calls they had from Smith’s wife in which she questioned their decision.

Married while he was serving in prison before his escape, his wife was with him when he was captured in South Dakota.

Some of the same members of the jury were also angered over this parole hearing.

David Hamby, who has followed the escape, recapture and parole hearings, was not available for comment at presstime.

Or So It Seems · 08-27-2008, 10:23 PM

I found an article from a couple of months ago that David Gordon Smith was denied parole again on June 25, 2008. Article

There was an organized effort to keep him behind bars.

David Gordon Smith, 2008

kadrmas15 · 09-07-2008, 03:07 AM

Hmm, well this wont be popular but I personally am not opposed to the parole of David Gordon Smith. This is mainly due to the fact that to me, it was never proven that Smith committed first degree murder. 2nd degree murder would have been the more appropriate conviction.

However Smith will almost certainly never get out. Even if he was approved for parole by the parole board, no Governor would ever let him out I dont think because it would be political suicide to let a man convicted of killing a cop to go free.

While J.B. Hamby's shooting was a tragedy there was something about his brother's attitude on UM that rubbed me the wrong way but that is just my opinion. However I am used to being in the minority and will probably get blasted for this latest opinion of mine but it is just my opinion and nothing more.

mphs95 · 09-07-2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kadrmas15

Hmm, well this wont be popular but I personally am not opposed to the parole of David Gordon Smith. This is mainly due to the fact that to me, it was never proven that Smith committed first degree murder. 2nd degree murder would have been the more appropriate conviction.

However Smith will almost certainly never get out. Even if he was approved for parole by the parole board, no Governor would ever let him out I dont think because it would be political suicide to let a man convicted of killing a cop to go free.

While J.B. Hamby's shooting was a tragedy there was something about his brother's attitude on UM that rubbed me the wrong way but that is just my opinion. However I am used to being in the minority and will probably get blasted for this latest opinion of mine but it is just my opinion and nothing more.

Kadrmas, I agree with you. 2nd degree murder would have been the more appropriate charge, but I think emotions were running high regarding the killing of a police officer.

However, Smith should not be paroled in my book bc he spent eight years on the run. He killed a police officer, he should pay the piper.

Kane · 09-07-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mphs95

Kadrmas, I agree with you. 2nd degree murder would have been the more appropriate charge, but I think emotions were running high regarding the killing of a police officer.

However, Smith should not be paroled in my book bc he spent eight years on the run. He killed a police officer, he should pay the piper.

I'm with you on this, mphs95. As far as I'm concerned, anyone who participates in a crime that results in the murder of a police officer should never be paroled.

I recall from the segment that Smith was given work release and/or furloughs. But I would imagine that it's a different story in Oklahoma these days. In fact, even my home state ended furloughs for convicted murderers.

Dazor · 03-24-2011, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kadrmas15

Hmm, well this wont be popular but I personally am not opposed to the parole of David Gordon Smith. This is mainly due to the fact that to me, it was never proven that Smith committed first degree murder. 2nd degree murder would have been the more appropriate conviction.

However Smith will almost certainly never get out. Even if he was approved for parole by the parole board, no Governor would ever let him out I dont think because it would be political suicide to let a man convicted of killing a cop to go free.

While J.B. Hamby's shooting was a tragedy there was something about his brother's attitude on UM that rubbed me the wrong way but that is just my opinion. However I am used to being in the minority and will probably get blasted for this latest opinion of mine but it is just my opinion and nothing more.

I Am Another That Agree's With You Totally Again

But The Only Thing I Have To Add Is Why Should David Gordon Smith Be Personally Denied Parole Again & Again Because Of Who He Killed A Police Officer Because To Me That Should'nt Matter The Sentence Sholud Be The Same For All Man To Man Killing's (& As You Say It Was 2nd Degree As It Was A Shoot Out & Either Could Of Been Killed) So To Me Anyway He Should'nt Be Treated Any Differently To Any Other Killer Who Commits Any Other 2nd Degree Murder So Just Let Him Out !! The One Major Thing Why I Say Let Him Out Is That When He Was Recaptured He Was Working & Living With His Wife Doing No Harm To Nobody So Its Not Like He's One Of Those Serial Killers Who Kill For Fantasy & Need To Be Kept Behind Bars To Keep Women Safe

So Whats The Issue Here I'll Tell You + & That Is Who He Killed & Not How He Did It. !! Its Just A Shame That The Police Don't Look As Hard For Those Crazed Prostitute Killers As They Do If The Victim Is A Police Officer !!

09-02-2003, 08:48 PM	#1
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,668	J.B. Hamby's murderer denied parole http://www.claremoreprogress.com/php...e.php?sid=9869 The man who gunned down Catoosa Police Chief J.B. Hamby about 25 years ago won’t be getting out of prison any time soon. David Gordon Smith, convicted by a Rogers County jury and sentenced to life in prison, didn’t make it past the first stage of the state pardon and parole board’s three stage hearing last week. An official of the board said the vote was 3-2, the same as it was in May 2001 when he was denied parole. Only written comments were presented at the first stage hearing, according to a new law. Hamby died when he rushed to answer a burglary alarm in the Catoosa tag agency. He chased the suspects out of the tag office and fell dead from gunshot wounds at a nearby laundromat. Smith was captured later in the day after seeking medical treatment at a Tulsa hospital. Rogers County District Attorney Gene Hayes, who submitted written comments in protest to Smith’s release, had not heard of the decision Saturday morning. Young enough at the time of Hamby’s killing to barely remember it, Haynes was thrown into the case when Smith sought post-conviction relief. Former Nowata County Judge Jim Sontag issued a ruling denying post conviction relief. Smith escaped from prison and was on the lam about eight years before being captured in Spearfish, S.D., identified from the television series “Unsolved Mysteries.” When he came up for parole in 2001, Patrick Morgan, who retired as Oklahoma County District Attorney Bob Macy’s first assistant, was one of the two who voted for parole. Under the new state law, if an inmate makes it through the first stage of a hearing, the second stage meeting is set for public comments. The final stage is signing by the governor. Ordinarily an inmate would not be on the parole docket so soon after denial, Hamby’s brother, David, learned. Several members of the Rogers County jury responded angrily about the application for post conviction relief and personal calls they had from Smith’s wife in which she questioned their decision. Married while he was serving in prison before his escape, his wife was with him when he was captured in South Dakota. Some of the same members of the jury were also angered over this parole hearing. David Hamby, who has followed the escape, recapture and parole hearings, was not available for comment at presstime.

08-27-2008, 10:23 PM	#2
Or So It Seems Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 06, 2002 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 196	Smith Denied Again... I found an article from a couple of months ago that David Gordon Smith was denied parole again on June 25, 2008. Article There was an organized effort to keep him behind bars. David Gordon Smith, 2008

09-07-2008, 03:07 AM	#3
kadrmas15 Retired from Board 03/03/11 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,910	Hmm, well this wont be popular but I personally am not opposed to the parole of David Gordon Smith. This is mainly due to the fact that to me, it was never proven that Smith committed first degree murder. 2nd degree murder would have been the more appropriate conviction. However Smith will almost certainly never get out. Even if he was approved for parole by the parole board, no Governor would ever let him out I dont think because it would be political suicide to let a man convicted of killing a cop to go free. While J.B. Hamby's shooting was a tragedy there was something about his brother's attitude on UM that rubbed me the wrong way but that is just my opinion. However I am used to being in the minority and will probably get blasted for this latest opinion of mine but it is just my opinion and nothing more.