Father of Wrestling Megastar Pardoned, Passes Away
Dec 28, 2013 2:37:26 GMT -4
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Post by A.C. Smith on Dec 28, 2013 2:37:26 GMT -4
NEW YORK (AP) - One of the most bizarre legal cases New York City had seen in years came to a stunning end last week, when a man convicted of several break-ins in the early-1980's was fully exonerated by a specially-convened commission of investigators.
The commission voted 4-3 to unconditionally pardon Andrew Smith, Sr., who spent more than two decades behind bars at numerous state facilities. Smith, though, was only able to attend via video-conference due to Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, which took his life Thursday, mere days after his exoneration.
Smith's son, Andrew Jr., is a world-renowned wrestler better known as A.C. Smith. Upon hearing the news of the reversal, Smith and several of his closest friends began crying tears of joy, and the group spent Christmas morning in the hospital room A.C.'s father had been confined to.
A.C. had never spoken with his father at length before a chance meeting earlier this year. A former member of the New York Police Department before starting an 11-plus year career as a professional wrestler, Smith released a statement Friday thanking the city for its investigation and his fans for their support.
"We lost a great man yesterday, but I'm thrilled that we exonerated him before he passed away," the statement said. "My father used his last few months to fight and to get to know his only son, and I will always be extremely grateful for the chance I got to realize how good a man he was."
Funeral arrangements for Andrew Sr. are pending. It is believed that his son is coordinating the ceremony, and that it will be a very small, private affair.
Andrew Jr., meanwhile, is believed to be training for Survive and Conquer, a 100-man battle royal run by Action Packed Wrestling that will take place next month in Germany. Smith spent a year and a half with APW, most recently serving as one of its longest-reigning Xtreme Champions in history.
The commission voted 4-3 to unconditionally pardon Andrew Smith, Sr., who spent more than two decades behind bars at numerous state facilities. Smith, though, was only able to attend via video-conference due to Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, which took his life Thursday, mere days after his exoneration.
Smith's son, Andrew Jr., is a world-renowned wrestler better known as A.C. Smith. Upon hearing the news of the reversal, Smith and several of his closest friends began crying tears of joy, and the group spent Christmas morning in the hospital room A.C.'s father had been confined to.
A.C. had never spoken with his father at length before a chance meeting earlier this year. A former member of the New York Police Department before starting an 11-plus year career as a professional wrestler, Smith released a statement Friday thanking the city for its investigation and his fans for their support.
"We lost a great man yesterday, but I'm thrilled that we exonerated him before he passed away," the statement said. "My father used his last few months to fight and to get to know his only son, and I will always be extremely grateful for the chance I got to realize how good a man he was."
Funeral arrangements for Andrew Sr. are pending. It is believed that his son is coordinating the ceremony, and that it will be a very small, private affair.
Andrew Jr., meanwhile, is believed to be training for Survive and Conquer, a 100-man battle royal run by Action Packed Wrestling that will take place next month in Germany. Smith spent a year and a half with APW, most recently serving as one of its longest-reigning Xtreme Champions in history.
