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No. 19-8161October Term 2019Decided May 4, 2020

Docket 19-8161October Term 2019 (2019–2020)

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
Case Accepted
Arguments
Decision ReleasedMay 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.

Grounding

Grounding
Primary-source trail available.
Note
Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
Checked
Jun 2, 2026
Primary materials5