Death and old age

Jack Smith is one step closer to the death chamber in a Texas prison. Trouble is, he might need a walker to reach it.

You see, Smith is 70. He’s been on Death Row for nearly 30 years. He’s the oldest condemned man in the state. (That’s something to tell the grandkids, I guess.)

Smith recently lost another appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court. I’m not sure anyone knows how many of those he has gone through.

This one, however, is supposed to be his last “last chance.” If the Supreme Court doesn’t rule that lethal injection is cruel and unusual punishment — and it shouldn’t — executions would resume in Texas and other states.

I’m all for snuffing convicted killers. In Smith’s case, that should have happened decades ago.

It didn’t, however. Now Texas would look like a big meanie if it executed a 70-year-old man — who has cancer, by the way.

I’d punt this one. Let Jack Smith die in prison and face his maker. He will be judged for his crime then.

It shouldn’t be too much longer.