Key Decision by Parole Board
On Wednesday, a South Carolina parole board unanimously denied Susan Smith’s request for parole. Smith, now 53, has served 30 years of her life sentence for the murder of her two young sons, Michael (3) and Alex (14 months). This was her first parole hearing, and she will be eligible for another in two years.
The Crime
In 1994, Smith rolled her car into John D. Long Lake with her sons strapped in their car seats, claiming for nine days that a carjacker had abducted them. Her confession came after investigators found inconsistencies in her story. Prosecutors argued she killed her sons to salvage a relationship, while her defense cited mental health struggles.
Emotional Hearing
Smith testified via video, tearfully expressing remorse: “I know what I did was horrible,” she said. Claiming God had forgiven her, she asked the board to extend similar mercy. Her attorney emphasized untreated mental health as a factor and noted her lack of prior criminal history.
Opposing parole, her ex-husband, David Smith, and other family members argued she has not shown true remorse. David Smith described the lasting trauma caused by her actions, stating, “She changed my life for the rest of my life that night.”
A True-Crime Flashpoint
The case gained international attention for its racial overtones when Smith initially accused a Black man of abducting her children. This false claim led to the wrongful targeting of Black men during the investigation.
Smith’s trial in 1995 was a national spectacle, ending with a jury sparing her the death penalty. Graphic evidence, including a recreation of the drowning, underscored the six harrowing minutes it took for the car to submerge.
Continued Scrutiny
Smith has faced disciplinary actions in prison for multiple infractions, including engaging in sexual relationships with guards and violating communication policies. Critics, including former prosecutor Tommy Pope, argue that her remorse focuses on her circumstances rather than the pain she causes.
Looking Ahead
While parole in South Carolina is rare—granted in only about 8% of cases—Smith will have the opportunity to plead her case again in two years. For now, her former family and others affected by her actions take solace in the board’s decision to keep her incarcerated.
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