No. 19-8161October Term 2019Decided May 4, 2020
In re Smith
Oscar Smith filed an application with the Supreme Court to stay his execution in Tennessee.
Case status
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released May 4, 2020
- What it's about
Oscar Smith filed an application with the Supreme Court to stay his execution in Tennessee. The Court rejected the bid to block the execution, though he ultimately received a reprieve due to a state oversight.
Question presented
1. Whether the United States District Court for the District of Nevada and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit have violated Petitioner’s rights to due process and equal protection of the laws by failing to rule on his pending motions and appeals in a timely manner? 2. Whether the United States District Court for the District of Nevada and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit have exceeded their jurisdiction by failing to rule on Petitioner’s pending motions and appeals? 3. Whether Petitioner is entitled to a writ of mandamus and/or prohibition directing the United States District Court for the District of Nevada and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to rule on his pending motions and appeals?
- Case path
Decision released May 4, 2020
- Area
Civil Rights
Timing
Decided May 4, 2020
The Court released its decision on May 4, 2020 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Related cases




Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jun 2, 2026
- Method
- Methodology