‘True Evil Exists’: Tennessee Man’s Gruesome Crime Shakes Nashville

In a chilling case that has left a Tennessee community reeling, the story of Oscar Franklin Smith, a man convicted of murdering his estranged wife and her two teenage sons, has resurfaced as the state carried out its first execution in five years. The brutal 1989 triple murder, described by a detective as proof that “true evil exists,” continues to haunt those who remember the tragedy. This story dives into the details of the crime, the long road to justice, and the lingering questions about guilt, punishment, and redemption.

A Family Torn Apart

On October 1, 1989, the quiet Nashville neighborhood of Green Hills was shattered by a horrific crime. Judith Robirds Smith, 35, and her two sons, Jason Burnett, 13, and Chad Burnett, 16, were found dead in their home. The scene was gruesome: Judith had been stabbed multiple times, and her sons suffered similar fates. The brutality of the murders sent shockwaves through the community, with neighbors struggling to comprehend how such violence could strike so close to home.

Oscar Franklin Smith, then 39, was Judith’s estranged husband. The couple had been separated, and court records reveal a troubled relationship marked by tension and conflict. Judith had two sons from a previous marriage, while Oscar had two teenage children of his own. According to investigators, Oscar had openly expressed his desire to see Judith dead, even offering money to anyone willing to kill her. This chilling detail painted a picture of a man consumed by rage and resentment.

When police questioned Oscar the day after the murders, his reaction raised red flags. “When they told him, he showed no emotion,” recalled Tom Thurman, a former Davidson County deputy district attorney. This cold demeanor, combined with physical evidence and witness statements, quickly made Oscar the prime suspect.

The Investigation and Trial

The investigation into the murders was swift but complex. Detectives uncovered evidence that pointed directly to Oscar, including his history of threatening Judith. Court records showed he had spoken to multiple people about wanting his estranged wife dead, a fact that prosecutors used to build their case. The motive, they argued, was rooted in a toxic mix of personal grievances and financial disputes.

In 1990, Oscar Franklin Smith was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder. The prosecution painted him as a calculating killer who planned the attack with chilling precision. The jury agreed, and Smith was sentenced to death. The case seemed closed, but the story was far from over.

A Long Road to Execution

For over three decades, Oscar Smith sat on Tennessee’s death row, his case weaving through appeals and legal challenges. His attorney, Kelley Henry, maintained that Smith was innocent, arguing that the evidence against him was circumstantial and that he deserved a new trial. Despite these efforts, the courts upheld his conviction, and in 2022, Smith received a last-minute reprieve just days before a scheduled execution. The stay of execution came amid concerns about Tennessee’s lethal injection protocol, but it only delayed the inevitable.

On May 22, 2025, Tennessee carried out its first execution in five years. Oscar Franklin Smith, now 75, was put to death by lethal injection at 10:47 a.m. The execution marked the end of a 36-year saga that began with the brutal deaths of Judith, Jason, and Chad. For some, it was justice served; for others, it raised difficult questions about the death penalty and the possibility of wrongful convictions.

A Detective’s Perspective: “True Evil Exists”

The detective who worked the case decades ago has never forgotten the horror of that October day. “True evil exists,” he said, reflecting on the savagery of the crime. His words have echoed through the years, resonating with those who followed the case. The brutality of the murders—stabbing a mother and her two young sons in their own home—left an indelible mark on Nashville’s collective memory.

For the detective, the case was more than just a job. It was a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk in human hearts. The evidence, he believed, was overwhelming, and Smith’s lack of remorse only solidified his guilt in the eyes of law enforcement.

The Other Side: Claims of Innocence

Despite the conviction, Smith’s legal team argued that he was wrongfully convicted. Kelley Henry, his attorney, pointed to inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case, including the lack of direct physical evidence tying Smith to the crime scene. She also highlighted the emotional toll of his final days, noting that Smith was moved to a small cell near the execution chamber two weeks before his death. “This type of isolation is incredibly traumatizing,” Henry told reporters. “It is also unnecessary.”

Supporters of Smith’s innocence pointed to his claims that he loved his family and would never harm them. They argued that the case relied too heavily on circumstantial evidence and witness testimony that could have been biased. However, these arguments failed to sway the courts, and Smith’s appeals ran out.

The Community’s Reaction

The execution has reignited debates in Tennessee about the death penalty. For some, it was a long-overdue punishment for a heinous crime. “He took three lives,” said one local resident. “He doesn’t deserve to live after what he did.” Others, however, questioned whether the state should be in the business of taking lives at all. “What if he was innocent?” asked a Nashville activist. “We can’t bring him back now.”

The victims’ family members, particularly Judith’s relatives, have remained mostly silent in recent years. The pain of losing a mother and two young boys is unimaginable, and for many, the execution offered a sense of closure, even if it couldn’t erase the past.

A Broader Look at Justice

The case of Oscar Franklin Smith raises larger questions about justice, vengeance, and redemption. The death penalty remains a divisive issue in the United States, with supporters arguing it deters crime and punishes the worst offenders, while opponents say it risks executing the innocent and perpetuates a cycle of violence. In Tennessee, where executions are rare, Smith’s case has drawn attention to the state’s justice system and its approach to capital punishment.

For the Burnett family, the tragedy is a wound that may never fully heal. Jason and Chad were just teenagers, full of potential and dreams, when their lives were cut short. Judith, a devoted mother, was trying to rebuild her life after a difficult marriage. Their deaths left a void in their community and a legacy of grief that persists to this day.

Moving Forward

As Nashville reflects on this dark chapter, the words “true evil exists” linger in the air. They serve as a reminder of the fragility of life and the capacity for harm that exists in the world. For those who knew Judith, Jason, and Chad, the pain of their loss is as raw today as it was in 1989. For others, the case is a sobering lesson in the complexities of justice and the human cost of violence.

Oscar Franklin Smith’s execution may close one chapter, but it opens another conversation about how society confronts its darkest moments. Whether you see it as justice or tragedy, one thing is clear: the story of this Tennessee family will not be forgotten.

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