Ex-prosecutor speaks of “selfish” Susan Smith: Sex in prison and “Sugar Daddies”

The former prosecutor who sought the death penalty for Susan Smith recounted Newsweek She made calculated decisions in the drownings of her two sons and should remain in prison, citing her risky behavior behind bars ahead of a parole hearing.

Smith, 53, is serving a life sentence after a jury decided not to sentence her to death in her 1995 murder trial. Under the law at the time, she could apply for release after 30 years in prison.

Tommy Pope told Newsweek Jurors were unaware that probation would ultimately be an option in her case.

“Until 1996, living in South Carolina didn’t mean living,” Pope said. “When the jury was questioned, they were told that they must accept life and death in their clear and usual meaning, and they could never be told that there was a possibility of parole.”

Pope said the jury ultimately chose a life sentence in the hope she would show remorse and think about her sons – but he added that did not happen.

“She had sex with guards. She had pen pals and Facebook friends. Now she has sugar daddies who want to take care of her when she gets out. She continued to focus on Susan,” Pope said. “My argument to the parole board is truth and punishment, and that’s exactly what she should receive.”

Newsweek contacted the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardons.

said Anita Dantzler, director of public information Newsweek“As of November 4, 2024, we have received 328 correspondences regarding Susan Smith’s parole consideration. Two were for probation.”

Parole is granted in only about 8% of cases in South Carolina and is less likely when an inmate appears before the board for the first time, in notorious cases or when prosecutors and victims’ families oppose it.

The parole board has scheduled Smith’s hearing for Nov. 20.

The context?

Smith reported on October 25, 1994, that she was ambushed late at night near Union, South Carolina, and a man drove off with her two sons. She described the car thief as a black man.

For nine days, Smith tearfully pleaded with three-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alexander for a safe return. Her then husband, David Smith, stood by her side without knowing the truth.

However, the boys and Smith’s car were at the bottom of nearby John D. Long Lake, authorities said.

Investigators quickly discovered inconsistencies in Smith’s account. Typically car thieves target vehicles, so they wondered why the perpetrator let Smith go while keeping her children. Additionally, the traffic light Smith allegedly stopped at only showed red when another vehicle was present, but she insisted there were no other cars nearby.

Smith admitted to letting her car roll down a boat ramp into the lake. Investigators recreated the scene and determined it took six minutes for the Mazda to go underground. Cameras inside the vehicle captured water coming in through the vents and steadily rising. The boys’ bodies were discovered dangling upside down in their car seats, one small hand pressed against a window.

Prosecutors said Smith was having an affair with the wealthy son of the owner of the company where she worked. He ended the relationship because she had two young sons, and Smith chose this route to resolve the situation.

“She made a series of calculated decisions to get rid of these children,” Pope said Newsweek.

He continued: “Why didn’t she give them to her husband? Why didn’t she give her up for adoption or do something like that? Well, if you do that, you’re a bad mother. But if the car thief takes them.” Your children, you are a victim. What’s more likely, Prince Charming coming back to save you?

What happened?

Pope advocated for the death penalty, making the young mother’s trial a national sensation and a significant moment in true crime history, even though there were no cameras.

A judge worried about the impact of media coverage on the concurrent OJ Simpson murder trial decided not to televise it. Ultimately, a jury convicted Smith but concluded she did not deserve the death penalty.

Smith’s lawyers said she was remorseful, had a nervous breakdown and planned to die with her children, but got out of the car at the last moment in a “botched suicide attempt.”

“If Susan had shown up at that house and said, ‘I tried to commit suicide. I panicked; my kids are in the car,’ it would at least be more explainable, maybe more believable,” Pope said.

What’s next?

The parole board has scheduled Smith’s hearing for Nov. 20, Dantzler said Newsweek In South Carolina, inmates appear virtually before the parole board.

“I think there’s a good chance she won’t make it this time,” Pope said. “But that’s the downside of life, not life: the family of the victim, David Smith, will have to go through this again and again over the years if they don’t make it this time.”

In an interview with Court TV, David Smith said he “definitely” planned to attend the parole hearing, adding: “I’m not sure if I’ll write a formal statement – maybe I’ll just speak out.” the heart. I want to remind you of what she did.

He admitted that he finds it difficult to remember his sons and explained that although he has forgiven his ex-wife, it does not erase the fact that she killed their children and deserves more than 30 years in prison for it have.

“I have forgiven her, it’s because of my faith in God and the way I was raised that we have to forgive, but it still doesn’t take away from her doing what she did,” David Smith said in court TV interview. “It doesn’t make it any less or any easier.”

He continued: “You have no idea how much harm you have caused to so many people. To the best of my ability, I will do everything in my power to ensure that you remain behind bars.”

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