Kermit Smith Jr. (June 7, 1957 – January 24, 1995) was executed by the state of North Carolina for the kidnap, rape, and murder of a 20-year-old college cheerleader. At the time of his execution, The New York Times and Associated Press noted he was just the second white person to be executed for the murder of a black victim since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.