Mr. Smith was convicted in 2004 of the first-degree murders of Cynthia Brown and Angel Wilson. Ms. Brown was smothered in 1997 and Ms. Wilson was shot in 1998. The jury voted 10-2 to recommend the death penalty for the murder of Ms. Brown and 9-3 to recommend the death penalty for the murder of Ms. Wilson. The trial court condemned Mr. Smith in both cases and this Court upheld the death sentences on direct appeal. Mr. Smith filed a postconviction challenge in trial court. It was denied and this appeal followed.