Appalachian Trail killer died of blood clot - Richmond Times Dispatch

[WhiteBlaze]

<table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7><tr><td width=80 align=center valign=top><font style="font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/1i-0&fd=R&url=http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/local/new_river_valley/article/appalachian_trail_killers_death_ruled_accidental/15367/&cid=1234571985&ei=ICqbSKjYF5LgyQTf_YHjBA&usg=AFQjCNEAe-l0V8CnLdiRa9RW3MMGJDpOIw"><img src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=WMeK9lZF6O4J&imgurl=media.wsls.com/wsls/img-story/images/uploads/RandallLeeSmithFileMugshot.jpg width=58 height=80 alt="" border=1><br><font size=-2>WSLS.com</font></a></font></td><td valign=top class=j><font style="font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><br><div style="padding-top:0.8em;"><img alt="" height="1" width="1"></div><div class=lh><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/1-0&fd=R&url=http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-08-07-0206.html&cid=1234571985&ei=ICqbSKjYF5LgyQTf_YHjBA&usg=AFQjCNEqxe-8d6ajsWzbpQYfpChUdE-dZg"><b>Appalachian Trail</b> killer died of blood clot</a><br><font size=-1><font color=#6f6f6f>Richmond Times Dispatch,&nbsp;VA&nbsp;-</font> <nobr>48 minutes ago</nobr></font><br><font size=-1>Smith, of Pearisburg, shot and killed two hikers on the <b>Appalachian Trail</b> in Giles County in 1981, a crime for which he spent nearly 15 years in prison. <b>...</b></font><br><font size=-1><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/1-1&fd=R&url=http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp%3FS%3D8804457%26nav%3Dmenu368_2&cid=1234571985&ei=ICqbSKjYF5LgyQTf_YHjBA&usg=AFQjCNFe4QGN3N2iD72yeQAqBSVA6SMdBw">UPDATED: Randall Lee Smith&#39;s death ruled accidental</a> <font size=-1 color=#6f6f6f><nobr>WDBJ7.com</nobr></font></font><br><font class=p size=-1><a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?ie=ISO-8859-1&ncl=1234571985&hl=en><nobr>all 4 news articles</nobr></a></font></div></font></td></tr></table>

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[Analogman]

I hope he suffered.

[guyd78]

Odd he was released, and only after 15 years at that, for murdering two people.

[dragonfeet]

apparently God/budda/carma or whoever we choose to believe in individualy decided fifteen years wasn't enough time either.

[wilconow]

Odd he was released, and only after 15 years at that, for murdering two people.

this was discussed in detail here

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36576

[orangebug]

For those seeking vengeance, I'd suggest Googling pulmonary embolism if you are so keen to learn more. Having witnessed a few, I'd prefer not to have one. Having witnessed other deaths, there are many worse ways.

He died alone and friendless in a cell, facing a bleak future. He learned absolute panic when it occurred. It happens to many whose only sin is to lay in bed after a hip replacement.

[WhiteBlaze]

<table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7><tr><td valign=top class=j><font style="font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><br><div style="padding-top:0.8em;"><img alt="" height="1" width="1"></div><div class=lh><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/1-0&fd=R&url=http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news/policebeat.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-08-08-0131.html&cid=0&ei=JP2bSKe1JpfM8AS74ZHxBA&usg=AFQjCNEsyW4vGSaEIQC1KR389H4YJkYh1A">Report: Blood clot killed <b>Trail</b> killer</a><br><font size=-1><font color=#6f6f6f>Richmond Times Dispatch,&nbsp;VA&nbsp;-</font> <nobr>17 minutes ago</nobr></font><br><font size=-1>Smith, 54, was infamous in Pearisburg, where he lived, and in surrounding Giles County for killing two hikers on the <b>Appalachian Trail</b> in 1981, <b>...</b></font></div></font></td></tr></table>

More... (http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/1-0&fd=R&url=http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news/policebeat.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-08-08-0131.html&cid=0&ei=JP2bSKe1JpfM8AS74ZHxBA&usg=AFQjCNEsyW4vGSaEIQC1KR389H4YJkYh1A)

[NICKTHEGREEK]

Dead is dead and in his case dead is good

[See Bee]

Who is using the trail name "Blood Clot"? I'd like to buy you some beer!!

[Odd Thomas]

Dead is dead and in his case dead is good

That sucks. Everybody dies, he could have at least lived out his incarceration so he'd be square with the house when he left.

[Odd Thomas]

Odd he was released, and only after 15 years at that, for murdering two people.

I know, but he was square with the house then. (the house didn't do such a hot job though) The second time he died.

Death is something that's universally experienced by everyone that lives, therefore it doesn't atone for sins and doesn't punish crime.

[Hooch]

Regardless of how he died, good riddance to bad rubbish. There's more oxygen in the world for those who deserve it.

[Bearpaw88]

He died alone and friendless in a cell, facing a bleak future.

It is hard to find the right words to say this, but I have absolutely no sympathy for this man. His choice in life was ultimately death anyway; by taking the lives of others. His actions are responsible for his own situation of dying alone and friendless in a cell. His bleak future was his own creation. Now he is gone and cannot hurt anyone else.

[orangebug]

I doubt the victims or their families would agree that he doesn't continue to cause them harm.

At least you do not attempt to take upon yourself the qualities of the Divine. For now, stay stuck in the concept that 'to err is human.' I work with the friendless and unloveable, as one person has described felons. I hope there is some form of forgiveness and redemption.

[Bearpaw88]

I doubt the victims or their families would agree that he doesn't continue to cause them harm.

At least you do not attempt to take upon yourself the qualities of the Divine. For now, stay stuck in the concept that 'to err is human.' I work with the friendless and unloveable, as one person has described felons. I hope there is some form of forgiveness and redemption.

I commend you for working with the friendless and unloveable, but everyone is responsible for their choices.

As for forgiveness and redemption you can forgive someone without condoning their behavior.

And yes I am sure the families are still suffering. I meant it in the physical sense.

[Dances with Mice]

... I work with the friendless and unloveable, as one person has described felons. I hope there is some form of forgiveness and redemption.Felons. Oh. For a second I thought you were talking about all of us on W-B.

[highway]

I know, but he was square with the house then. (the house didn't do such a hot job though) The second time he died.

Death is something that's universally experienced by everyone that lives, therefore it doesn't atone for sins and doesn't punish crime.

I wonder if that would be the opinion of the two who's lives he ended so early?

[Jester2000]

I hope he suffered.

I hope that hatred for people one doesn't know doesn't cause any permanent loss of perspective for those involved.

[WAYSEEKER]

Could not happen to a nicer guy!