Convicted Killer Is Executed by Injection

Clyde Smith was executed in Huntsville for fatally shooting a Houston cabdriver during a robbery in 1992.

“I want to thank you all for being here and for your love and support,” Smith, 32, told friends who watched from a window.

Relatives of another cabdriver Smith had confessed to killing were present, but he did not acknowledge them. Relatives of the man Smith was executed for killing were not there.

Smith was pronounced dead at 6:17 p.m., seven minutes after lethal drugs were administered. His execution was the fourth this year in Texas.

Smith had confessed to the Feb. 7, 1992, death of 45-year-old David Jacobs, and to a similar shooting and robbery of another cabdriver six weeks later. He later said the confessions were made under duress.