David Smith, Susan Smith’s ex-husband, who was convicted in 1994 of drowning their two sons, will testify at her parole hearing Wednesday and give his opinion on whether she should be released from prison.

The father said he plans to speak from the heart as he makes his strong comments to keep Smith behind bars.

In an interview with Court TV, (David) Smith said he “absolutely” plans to attend the parole hearing, adding: “I’m not sure if I’ll write a formal statement – maybe I’ll speak just from my heart. I want to remind them of what they did.”

He admitted he struggles to remember his sons, three-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alexander. Although he has forgiven his ex-wife, this does not change the fact that she murdered their children and deserves more than thirty years. in prison for that.

“I have forgiven her, that has to do with my faith in God and that is the way I was raised, we have to forgive, but it still doesn’t take away 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 damage you have caused to so many people. Within my means, I will do everything I can to ensure that you remain behind bars.’

This was said by the former prosecutor who demanded the death penalty for Smith Newsweek if she is denied parole, it will only prolong (David) Smith’s agony, forcing him to relive the tragic events at every future hearing.

“I think there’s a good chance she won’t make it this time. But that’s the downside,” Tommy Pope said Newsweek. “The family of the victim, David Smith, will experience this if she doesn’t make it this time, again and again and again throughout the years.”

Susan Smith convicted of drowning sons

Susan Smith reported on October 25, 1994, that she had been carjacked late at night near Union, South Carolina, and that a man had driven away with her two sons inside. She described the carjacker as a black man.

For nine days, Smith made numerous and tearful pleas to bring her sons back safely. Her then husband stood by her side, unaware of the truth.

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

Investigators soon discovered inconsistencies in Smith’s story. Typically, carjackers target vehicles, so they wondered why the perpetrator would let Smith go while she was holding her children. Additionally, the traffic light where Smith claimed to have stopped would only turn red if another vehicle was present, but she insisted there were no other cars in the area.

Smith admitted to rolling her car off a boat ramp into the lake. Investigators recreated the scene and found it took six minutes for the Mazda to submerge. Cameras inside the vehicle recorded water pouring in through the vents and rising steadily upward. The boys’ bodies were found dangling upside down in their car seats, with one small hand pressed against a window.

Prosecutors said Smith had 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 as her way to resolve the situation.

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

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

Smith’s lawyers said she was remorseful, had a nervous breakdown and planned to die with her children, but in a “failed suicide attempt” left the car at the last minute.

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

Susan Smith’s parole hearing

Susan is serving a life sentence after a jury chose not to sentence her to death during her 1995 murder trial. Under the law at the time, she can request release after a 30-year prison sentence.

Pope said the jury ultimately opted for a life sentence, hoping she would show remorse and think of her sons — but, he added, that didn’t happen.

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

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

Director of Public Information Anita Dantzler said Newsweek“As of November 4, 2024, we received 328 correspondence regarding parole for Susan Smith. Two were in favor of parole.”

In South Carolina, parole is granted only about 8 percent of the time, and that is less likely when an inmate is making his first court appearance, in notorious cases or when prosecutors and victims’ families resist.

The parole board set Smith’s hearing for Wednesday.

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