Legislative records or announcements from the South Carolina government.

Parole Denied for Susan Smith, Who Drowned Sons Michael and Alex

Nov 20, 2024, 03:51 PM

After serving 30 years in prison, Susan Smith, the South Carolina mother convicted of drowning her two young sons in 1994, appeared before a parole board on November 20, 2024, seeking her freedom. Smith, now 53, was sentenced to life in prison in 1995 after admitting to rolling her car into a lake with her sons, 3-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alex, strapped inside. Initially, she claimed that a Black man had carjacked her and kidnapped her children but later confessed to the murders. During the parole hearing, Smith appeared emotional, stating, "First of all, I want to say how very sorry I am." Her lawyer described the case as "a mental health story" and asserted that "this was not about another man." Smith added that she is a Christian and believes "God has forgiven her." Her ex-husband, David Smith, opposed her release, arguing that "15 years per child is just not enough." Prosecutors and law enforcement officials also opposed parole, with the original prosecutor emphasizing that the jury was not informed that a life sentence would include the possibility of parole. The parole board unanimously denied Smith's request.