HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Former Gov. Brian Schweitzer has left the pending request for clemency from a Canadian citizen on death row for new Gov. Steve Bullock.

Schweitzer left office Monday without taking any action on the case. The former governor told The Associated Press that his replacement has all the paperwork necessary to evaluate the case.

The Montana Parole Board recommended last year that Ronald A. Smith be denied clemency. Smith is asking for life in prison without the possibility of parole instead of the death sentence he now faces.

Smith argues his original 1983 trial for shooting two Blackfeet cousins was botched.

Bullock did not immediately have comment on the case Tuesday.

The former attorney general until last week led the office that is defending Smith's conviction and death sentence.

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