[4] On March 7, 1983, Smith approached a teller's window at the Union National Life Insurance Company in Houston, Texas.

Armed with a gun and wearing a stocking mask, Smith slid open the glass and pointed the weapon at the teller, ordering her to hand over all the money.

When she refused and hid behind a filing cabinet, Smith turned his attention to 44-year-old Larry Don Rohus, the company's district manager who had been standing with her.

While the two engaged in conversation, Rohus pleaded with Smith not to shoot him and began taking off a bracelet on his wrist.

[1] On April 5, 1984, Smith was found guilty of capital murder and was sentenced to death by a Harris County jury.

[12][13] The request was denied by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice because dirt was not included on the list of approved foods.

[2][16] On the morning of his scheduled execution, Smith won a reprieve after his mother's attorneys asked the Supreme Court of the United States to spare his life.

He refused his appeals again and argued that remaining in prison was cruel and unusual punishment because he would rather die and be reincarnated.