Susan Smith was recently denied parole after thirty years of incarceration for the tragic deaths of her two young sons, Michael and Alex. The incident occurred in 1994 when Smith drove her Mazda Protege into John D. Long Lake in Union County, leaving her sons, ages 3 and 14 months, strapped in their car seats.
Following the incident, Smith claimed that a Black man had carjacked her and taken the boys, leading her to make public appeals for their return. However, after nine days of searching and media coverage, she confessed to the crime.
During a parole hearing on Wednesday, Smith expressed her desire to be released, stating that she has come to understand the value of family and relationships. Her attorney highlighted her struggles with mental health problems, which began in childhood after her father’s suicide when she was just six years old.
Smith emphasized her transformation, stating, “I am a Christian and God is a big part of my life. I know that he has forgiven me.” Supporters, including two friends, spoke in favor of her release, arguing that she is no longer the person who committed the crime three decades ago.
However, opposition to her release was strong, including from the boys’ father, David Smith. He passionately argued against her parole, stating that she made a conscious choice to end their lives and that he would continue to attend future hearings to advocate for justice for his sons.
David’s wife, Tiffany, shared the ongoing emotional toll that the tragedy has taken on their family, expressing that they cannot watch their sons grow up. “I don’t feel it’s time for her to be let out because she took two lives,” she said.
The parole board ultimately voted against granting Smith parole, citing the severity of her case and her negative prison record. One board member recused herself due to having previously worked where Smith was incarcerated.
Susan Smith will be eligible for another parole hearing in two years.
