Nevada’s Attorney General Aaron Ford is under fire as he refuses to clarify his backing of a clemency application for Norman Smith, a convicted killer. Smith’s crime involved murdering a pregnant woman during a bail period for multiple armed robberies targetting Las Vegas tourists.
State records revealed Ford as the sole sponsor for Smith’s commutation plea at the Nevada Board of Pardons Commissioners meeting on September 16. Despite Ford’s support, the board rejected the clemency request. Ford was absent from the scheduled hearing and later avoided questions regarding his sponsorship at a Las Vegas airport.
Political Implications
Ford’s actions coincided with his campaign to become Nevada’s next governor against Republican Governor Joe Lombardo, who has critiqued Ford’s track record on safety and justice reform.
When pressed for an explanation, Ford’s spokesperson cited an out-of-state family medical emergency as the reason for his absence. The campaign described sponsorship as a routine process, enabling the board to decide on a case. However, they did not disclose why Ford specifically chose Smith’s application.
A Close Encounter
“Are you sponsoring Norman Smith’s pardon?” Ford was questioned by a conservative tracker, to which he responded with dismissal and avoided further inquiries before leaving.
Clemency Process Details
Within the board’s protocol, only one of its nine members, including the governor, attorney general, and state Supreme Court justices, must sponsor a commutation request for it to proceed to a formal vote.
Smith’s request was the singular application backed by Ford in 2026. The crime dates back to 2015 when Smith, charged with murder but later convicted of manslaughter, insisted on self-defense for the killing of Tineshea Adams.
Political Repercussions
Republican strategist Matt Gorman condemned Ford’s evasion, remarking that if Ford cannot rationalize his support, he should reconsider his gubernatorial ambitions.
Alec Schemmel, reporting for Fox News Digital, offers political insights from his base in the Washington D.C.-Baltimore area.