Susan Smith, the mother who drowned her two sons by rolling her car into a lake in 1994, was denied parole after serving three decades in prison. During her parole hearing, Smith apologized for her actions and expressed remorse for her crime. However, her ex-husband, David Smith, and other family members opposed her release, stating that her sentence was not enough for the lives she took. Smith’s false claims about a carjacking led to a nationwide manhunt before she confessed to killing her sons. She was convicted for murder and sentenced to life in prison but was eligible for parole after 30 years in 2021. Despite claiming to be a good mother, Smith’s prison record was marred by disciplinary actions, including drug use, sexual encounters with prison guards, and various infractions.
Smith’s lawyer argued for her parole, citing her troubled past and battles with mental health issues. However, the prosecutor who tried her case believed that Smith was focusing on herself and not on her sons. The parole board unanimously decided against her release, with David Smith vowing to be present at her next hearing in two years. Despite Smith’s claims of regret and attempts to seek redemption through religion, the board determined that she was not ready to rejoin society.
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