Co-Defendant Says Ronald Smith Deserves to Live

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — A Canadian man who was convicted along with Ronald Smith in the murder of two Montana men 30 years ago says his co-defendant saved his life and deserves to live.

Rodney Munro told The Canadian Press that he thanks God every day for Smith, who is sitting on death row in Montana. Smith's fate is now in the hands of Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer after the state board of pardons recommended against granting Smith clemency for the deaths of Harvey Madman Jr. and Thomas Running Rabbit.

Munro says because of what Smith said in court, Munro did not receive the death penalty.

Munro was released from prison in 1998, is married, working and is drug and alcohol-free.

He says he hopes Schweitzer will have the political will to spare his friend's life.