Susan Smith, the woman serving a life sentence for the drowning deaths of her two sons in 1994 is now facing the possibility of parole. Smith, who was convicted of submerging her car with her children inside in a South Carolina lake, will come before a parole board via video link to make her case for release after serving 30 years, as QCNews reports.
The case that drew national and international attention continues to stir emotions, with the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services revealing they have received hundreds of messages in reaction to her potential parole, and only a fraction expressing support. Eligible for parole under the sentencing guidelines from when she was convicted, Smith's hearing is fixed for today, nearly three decades after a jury found her guilty, as WBTV reported.
In the years following her incarceration, Smith's life has been marked by failed appeals and controversy, including incidents involving guards and maintaining contact with individuals outside prison. Her conviction stemmed from the night she reported a carjacking and the abduction of her boys, only for the fabricated tale to collapse under scrutiny, ultimately leading to her confession of the crime, as WCCB Charlotte recounts.
With parole in South Carolina granted only about 8% of the time for violent crimes, Smith's release is not assured, specifically when considering her first-time appearance before the parole board and the notoriety of her case. Opposition from figures such as former prosecutor Tommy Pope, who also serves as the Republican Speaker Pro Tem of the South Carolina House, adds to the dim prospects. "She’s been rehearsing what she’ll say to the parole board for 30 years," Pope told WCCB Charlotte. David Smith, her ex-husband, is set to join Pope in contesting her release.
During the Court TV interview, David Smith expressed how he still struggles to remember his sons and although having forgiven Susan, he emphasized that she must continue serving time for her actions. "You have no idea of how much damage you have done to so many people," he stated to WCCB Charlotte. Susan Smith's history post-conviction and the weight of her crime continue to cast long shadows as the parole hearing approaches.
