After three decades behind bars for the murder of her two children, Susan Smith is seeking parole, facing a pivotal hearing that revives public interest in a notorious crime.
Mother Seeks Parole 30 Years After Infamous Double Homicide Case
Mother Seeks Parole 30 Years After Infamous Double Homicide Case
South Carolina woman Susan Smith applies for parole in the case of her sons' tragic deaths.
In a case that drew national attention in 1994, South Carolina's Susan Smith, now 53, is applying for parole after serving 30 years for the murder of her two sons, three-year-old Michael and one-year-old Alex. The crime, a shocking double homicide, involved Smith strapping her children into their car seats and allowing the vehicle to roll into a lake, leading to their tragic deaths. As Smith prepares for her parole hearing on Wednesday, the response to her request is mixed, with both her defense and the victims' family poised to present their arguments to a seven-member board.
During her trial, the prosecution contended that Smith's actions were driven by a desire to be with a man who had expressed that her children were an obstacle to their relationship. After initially fabricating a story about a carjacking to hide the truth, she later admitted to the heinous act, claiming a mental breakdown led her to that moment. Her defense argued that she did not intend for her children to die, aiming instead to escape her circumstances.
Under South Carolina law at that time, inmates convicted of murder become eligible for parole hearings every two years after serving 30 years. For Smith to achieve release, she must secure a two-thirds vote from the parole board members present at the hearing. As the community remembers the harrowing details of the case, the hearing is expected to reignite debates over mental health, justice, and the possibility of redemption.
During her trial, the prosecution contended that Smith's actions were driven by a desire to be with a man who had expressed that her children were an obstacle to their relationship. After initially fabricating a story about a carjacking to hide the truth, she later admitted to the heinous act, claiming a mental breakdown led her to that moment. Her defense argued that she did not intend for her children to die, aiming instead to escape her circumstances.
Under South Carolina law at that time, inmates convicted of murder become eligible for parole hearings every two years after serving 30 years. For Smith to achieve release, she must secure a two-thirds vote from the parole board members present at the hearing. As the community remembers the harrowing details of the case, the hearing is expected to reignite debates over mental health, justice, and the possibility of redemption.
