Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford is facing criticism for sponsoring a parole hearing for Norman Smith, who was convicted of killing a pregnant woman and her unborn child in 2015. Ford, who is seeking reelection, had his office sponsor Smith's application for a sentence modification before the Nevada parole board.
Smith killed Tinesha Adams on December 13, 2015, during a large altercation outside an O'Reilly's parking lot. Adams had confronted her on-and-off boyfriend, Chris Cooper, at an Applebee's restaurant earlier that evening. Smith, who was friends with Cooper, became involved when Adams followed the group to the O'Reilly's parking lot. A brawl ensued, during which Smith shot Adams. At the time of the incident, Smith was on house arrest for an armed robbery case.
Smith was sentenced in 2017 to 10 to 39 years for the armed robbery, and two years later, he received a concurrent sentence for the voluntary manslaughter conviction in Adams' death. Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael J. Schwartzer, who was the prosecutor in the case, recalled the victim's family's presence in court and Smith's prior armed robbery case as factors for the parole board to consider in a letter to the board. Schwartzer also later wrote as an individual, supporting parole for Smith's robbery sentence, noting that Smith had taken responsibility and received a significantly higher sentence than co-defendants. The District Attorney's office stated that Schwartzer did not oppose parole for the robbery case because Smith would still be serving time for Adams' death.
Ford's office stated that the Attorney General was initially approached by Smith's mother, who has cancer, to put her son's case on the agenda for a sentencing modification. After receiving a letter of support from the prosecutor, Ford agreed to place the case on the agenda but informed Smith's mother he would not guarantee a vote in favor of clemency. Smith's parole bid was ultimately denied by the board. Ford did not attend the scheduled parole hearing due to a family emergency and has since declined to answer questions regarding his absence, further fueling the controversy.
The incident leading to Adams' death began when she confronted Cooper at an Applebee's. After Cooper and his companions, including Smith, left the restaurant, Adams followed them to an O'Reilly's parking lot where Cooper's mother had arrived. Adams' family members also arrived. The situation escalated into a physical altercation, with Adams pepper-spraying multiple individuals. Smith reportedly threw Adams to the ground twice. Smith admitted to shooting Adams, claiming it was an accident that occurred when he was pushed while trying to place a gun he found on the ground into his pocket.