Bio

Robert Douglas Smith was born on December 8, 1948. He grew up in Houston, Texas, in a challenging home environment. His childhood was marked by instability and dysfunction. There were reports of psychological and physical abuse in his family. Smith's family life was difficult, and he experienced emotional turmoil from a young age.

As he grew older, Smith faced personal struggles. He had a history of depression and made multiple attempts to take his own life. He also reported being a victim of severe trauma, including being gang-raped while he was in county jail at the age of 18. These experiences likely contributed to his mental health issues.

In his youth, Smith attended school but had learning difficulties. His IQ was measured at 71, which is considered below average. This might have affected his ability to understand complex situations and make decisions. Throughout his life, he also struggled with drug abuse.

Murder Story

On March 11, 1980, Robert Douglas Smith, Joe Leonard Lambright, and Kathy Foreman picked up Sandra Owen, a young woman hitchhiking in Tucson, Arizona. They drove her to a remote area in the mountains. During the encounter, Smith raped Owen twice. After the assaults, he and Lambright choked her, stabbed her, and hit her in the head with a large rock, leading to her death.

To hide their crime, they covered her body with rocks. The body was not found until a year later. Smith and Lambright were arrested and charged with the crime. They were tried together before two separate juries. During the trial, Foreman testified against them in exchange for immunity. Smith reportedly confessed to the crime without showing any remorse.

On March 30, 1982, Smith was found guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and sexual assault. He was sentenced to death on May 27, 1982. After the trial, Smith attempted to appeal his conviction. His appeals were based on claims of ineffective assistance from his attorneys, but these claims were ultimately denied. He remained on Arizona's Death Row for many years after his conviction.