Susan Smith Denied Parole After 30 Years

Susan Smith, who infamously drowned her two children in 1994, was denied parole on Wednesday after a unanimous decision by the South Carolina parole board. During her first eligibility hearing, Smith expressed remorse and claimed to be a changed person, stating, "I would give anything if I could go back and change it." However, her ex-husband and the prosecution opposed her release, emphasizing that her actions were intentional and not a tragic mistake. Smith's lawyer argued that her case involved untreated mental health issues, but the board ultimately sided with the victims' family and the prosecution's concerns. Smith will be eligible for another parole hearing in two years, but historically, parole is granted in only 8% of cases, particularly in notorious instances like hers. The case remains a painful chapter in American criminal history, marked by the tragic loss of young lives and the false narrative Smith initially presented to the public.