Susan Smith Faces Parole Board Nearly 30 Years After Conviction for Infamous Murders
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Susan Smith, now 53, will appear before a South Carolina parole board on Wednesday, almost three decades after she was convicted of drowning her two young sons in a Union County lake. Smith, who received a life sentence in her 1995 trial — where the jury opted against the death penalty — is eligible for parole under state law after serving 30 years.
Smith’s case garnered national attention in October 1994 when she falsely claimed her children were carjacked, a story that unraveled when investigations revealed the boys had drowned in a car she had driven into a lake. Prosecutors later described the tragic incident as a desperate act following an affair’s end. In the wake of her conviction, Smith’s conduct in prison has drawn criticism, with former lead prosecutor Tommy Pope claiming she has shown little remorse for her actions.
Pope and David Smith, Susan’s ex-husband, will both advocate against Smith’s parole. David Smith stated, "While I have forgiven Susan, that doesn’t take away the fact that she killed our children,” emphasizing the long-lasting pain caused by her actions.
In South Carolina, the chances of parole are slim – approximately 8% – and even lower for notorious cases like Smith’s. Many believe that the jury’s intent was for Smith to serve a life sentence without the possibility of release after 30 years. As the parole hearing approaches, observers speculate that Smith will attempt to garner sympathy from the board. Pope predicted, "She’s been rehearsing what she’ll say to the parole board for 30 years." The hearing will proceed virtually, with Smith participating via video call from prison.
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