A Susan Smith, whose case shocked the United States three decades ago, was denied parole after serving thirty years of a life sentence for the murder of her two young sons. Smith, now 53, appeared before the parole board via video link from prison, pleading for his release. “I know what I did was horrible,” he declared between sobs during the hearing, acknowledging his regret by stating: “I would give anything to be able to change it.”
CNN reported that Smith also appealed to her Christian faith to ask for mercy, saying, “I’m a Christian and God is a big part of my life. “I know he has forgiven me.” However, despite his plea, the parole board voted unanimously against his release. The fact that Smith has a history of infractions inside the prison did not help his case, as NBC highlighted by mentioning his previous disciplinary problems, including marijuana use and other conduct violations.
During the hearing, the testimony of David SmithSusan’s ex-husband, was a focal point. CBS He described how, wearing a pin with photos of his children, he urged the board to keep his ex-wife behind bars. “What she did was not a tragic mistake,” he emphasized, adding that Susan’s actions not only ended the lives of Michael y Alexbut they almost caused him to lose his own due to the pain she caused him. NBC He added that David Smith plans to attend all future parole hearings to ensure his children’s names are not forgotten.
Susan Smith’s story began when, in November 1994, she falsely reported that her children had been kidnapped by an African-American man during an alleged carjacking (auto theft) in Union, South Carolina. This claim sparked a national search and massive media coverage before authorities discovered the truth. According to CNNAfter several inconsistencies in his story, Smith confessed that he had pushed his car into the lake with his three-year-old and one-year-old children inside. This revelation shocked the country and made him one of the most followed of the time.
Authorities found Michael and Alex’s bodies hanging from their seat belts, with a small hand pressed against the window. During the trial, prosecutors maintained that Smith killed her children because the man she was having an affair with did not want a relationship because of the children. For its part, the defense argued that Smith was suffering a mental crisis after a life marked by sexual abuse and the suicide of his father. She was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
During his trial in 1995, Smith’s lawyers argued that he was suffering from a profound mental crisis and had attempted suicide with his children. CBS He emphasized the speech of his lawyer, who described his situation as “an example of the dangers of untreated mental health” and mentioned his emotional problems since he was a teenager, which had not been adequately addressed.
The consequences of Susan Smith’s crime extended beyond her immediate family. According to prosecutor Kevin Brackett, quoted by CBSthe impact was felt at the state and national level, with his false accusation sparking racial incidents and increasing fear of crime. Smith’s allegation that an African-American man had kidnapped his children led to several innocent men in the area being detained without cause during the search for the “fictitious man.”
Since prison, Smith has been in the spotlight for other reasons. According to NBChas had controversial contacts with men and alleged romantic relationships through correspondence. Additionally, Smith has been involved in proposals to participate in documentaries, which recently resulted in her losing prison privileges for breaking the rules when communicating with a filmmaker, as reported CNN.
During his incarceration, Smith racked up violations for drug use, smuggling and inappropriate relationships with guards, which complicated his case before the board. “Susan always focuses on Susan, not on Michael and Alex,” said Tommy Pope, former prosecutor in the case and current state representative, who also asked to deny parole.
Susan Smith’s next parole hearing is scheduled for two years from now, and David Smith is expected to continue making appearances to ensure justice is maintained for Michael and Alex. In this regard, NBC explained how, in 2015, Susan wrote to the newspaper The State, asserting that he had no intention of harming his children and defending that the drowning was not a planned event, although such statements have not changed public perception or the parole board’s decision.
