Bio

Charles Edward Smith was born on February 24, 1966, in San Bernardino County, California. He grew up in a household that faced some challenges. 

In 1987, at the age of 21, Smith was sentenced to 1 to 5 years in prison for burglary, theft, and aiding a felon in Kansas. He had participated in a home burglary where a firearm was stolen and later used in a murder. He spent some time in a minimum-security correctional facility and had about a month left to serve before he would have been eligible for parole.

On August 14, 1988, just days before the murder, Smith escaped from the facility with his cousin, Carroll Bernard Smith. After their escape, the two men began a crime spree. They stole a pickup truck and made their way to Houston, Texas. There, they committed several burglaries, stealing items including credit cards and jewelry, and a .357 magnum pistol.

As they continued their journey, they stole a van. On August 19, 1988, they stopped at a gas station in Bakersfield, Texas, where they filled up the van with gasoline worth $22.50 but drove away without paying. This act led to their eventual confrontation with law enforcement.

During this time, Charles Smith was described as not fitting the typical mold of a law-abiding citizen. He had a history of violent behavior and showed a lack of remorse for his previous crimes. His early life and experiences contributed to the path he took as an adult.

After the escape and the crimes that followed, his life would alter forever as he faced an extensive legal process that would lead to his conviction for capital murder.

Murder Story

Tim Hudson was a Deputy Sheriff in Pecos County, Texas. On August 20, 1988, he responded to a report about a van that had stolen gasoline worth $22.50 from a service station in Bakersfield. Hudson spotted the van on Interstate 10 and attempted to pull it over around midnight. The van was being driven by Charles Edward Smith, who was escaping from a Kansas prison with his cousin, Carroll Bernard Smith.

As Hudson approached the van, Charles Smith fired three shots into the deputy's patrol car using a .357 Magnum revolver. One of the bullets struck Hudson in the side, fatally wounding him. Following the shooting, the two men abandoned the van and stole a truck tractor from a nearby residence, continuing to flee from the law.

A large manhunt was initiated, leading to a police chase that culminated in a shootout. The two escapees were eventually captured, and during his arrest, Charles Smith confessed to his role in the murder. His confession included a shocking revelation: he stated that it had been his lifelong dream to kill a police officer.

Smith was charged with capital murder. He faced three trials, with all three resulting in a death sentence. The first conviction was overturned due to issues with jury selection. The second trial also led to a death sentence but was overturned because jurors were not properly instructed during sentencing. In 1999, a jury found him guilty for the third time, sentencing him to death once again.

After years of legal battles through the courts, Charles Edward Smith was executed by lethal injection on May 16, 2007. He made no last statement before his execution. His last meal included nine tacos, nine enchiladas, French fries, sixteen Pepsis, a salad with ranch dressing, a bowl of picante sauce, beef fajitas, a bowl of shredded cheese, a strawberry cake with strawberry frosting, and six jalapeño peppers. He was pronounced dead at 6:41 p.m.