Susan Smith, convicted in 1995 for the drowning deaths of her two young sons, is scheduled for a parole hearing on November 20, 2024, after serving 30 years of her life sentence. The case garnered international attention when Smith falsely claimed her car was hijacked by a Black man, only to later confess to the murders. Her upcoming parole hearing has sparked significant public debate, with many, including her ex-husband David Smith, opposing her release. David Smith plans to testify against her parole, emphasizing her lack of remorse and misconduct in prison, which includes drug possession, self-harm, and inappropriate relations with guards.
The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services has received nearly 150 letters condemning her release. Former prosecutor Tommy Pope also plans to testify against her parole, highlighting her lack of remorse and misconduct in prison.
Smith’s defense has pointed to her mental state and personal traumas, but her chances of parole appear slim given her disciplinary record and the strong opposition to her release.
