Smelly corpse, smelly corpse....

The case....

New execution date set for N.C. death row inmate

RALEIGH, N.C. - A death row inmate whose execution was delayed while the state Supreme Court considered another case with similar legal issues is now scheduled to be executed Oct. 3.

Edward Hartman, 38, is scheduled to be executed at 2 a.m. that day for the robbery and killing of an elderly man in June 1993 in Northampton County. He also received a 40-year sentence for armed robbery.

....Hartman confessed to murder and robbery of Herman Smith Jr., telling authorities he had consumed 16 cans of beer before firing a pistol at close range into Smith's head while the victim watched television in a recliner. Court records show Hartman told a friend that Smith was wealthy and carried thousands of dollars in his pocket.

Hartman, who had been living in Smith's home, took the man's car and left the body in the chair. Five days later, after taking several trips in the car, Hartman said he was bothered by the smell and dragged Smith's body to a stable and buried it.

While using Smith's car, Hartman wrote checks on the dead man's bank account.