Susan Smith, Ex-Husband David Speaks Out
She makes international headlines after lying about what happened to her children, giving her celebrity status and her 15 minutes of fame. In 1994 Smith lied to authorities, the press, and her ex-husband David Smith over Michael and Alexander Smith’s lives.
Susan Smith
Smith kept the lie going for 9 days telling everyone and anyone who would listen that a black man had stolen her car and kidnapped her children. Although authorities thought she was lying. Because after she failed a polygraph test; she kept the lie up.
Mr. Smith recalls the exact moment she admitted to him the truth. Michael,3, and Alexander, 14 months, were strapped in their car seats and rolled into a lake to drown. “She just casually, like you and I sitting here, said I’m sorry.”
“And that was as far as it went. I asked her Why did you do this? Why? she replied ‘I don’t know why but I’m sorry.'” She was ultimately convicted of two counts of murder and is serving a life sentence in Leath Correctional Institute, South Carolina.
Smith became eligible for parole in 2024 after serving 30 years of her life sentence. She applied for parole in November 2024. “I know what I did was horrible. I am a Christian and GOD is a big part of my life.” Susan told the parole board.
Susan Smith’s Ex-Husband David Continues His Fight
Continuing “And I know he has forgiven me and I know by his grace and mercy… And I just ask that you show me the same kind of mercy.” As with most Parole Board hearings the surviving members of the victim’s family, lawyers and district attorneys have a voice.
Because David was the father of Michael and Alexander, he spoke “I don’t think she will ever be rehabilitated. She, not even to me, she’s never really been sorry for what she did.”
Needless to say, parole was denied.
Susan Smith, Ex-Husband David Still Carries Grieve
Mr. Smith tells Dateline “I wish she had been sentenced to death instead of life in prison.” His reasoning is simple enough he won’t have to deal with parole hearings that will bring heartache and old wounds to the forefront again.
Recognizing Susan Smith had a hard life; he feels that doesn’t excuse what she did “I want an eye for an eye. But the jury saw things differently.” He stated at the time. Telling Dateline “Yes I have forgiven her, but that’s my faith in GOD.”
“That we have to forgive. But it doesn’t take away from what she did. It doesn’t make the hurt any easier.” David Smith says in his interview. This interview will air on tonight’s episode of Dateline at 9 PM ET on NBC.
Photo Credits: YouTube and NBC
Quote Excerpts: PEOPLE and Dateline Return To The Lake
