COLUMBIA, SC (FOX Carolina) – On November 20, 2024, one of the most infamous women in South Carolina history will be given a chance at freedom.

Union mother Susan Smith, who killed her two children in 1994, will appear before the parole board to have her request rejected.

Smith was convicted of murdering his sons, 3-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alex. On October 25, 1994, Smith strapped the children into their car seats and allowed his car to roll down a boat ramp into John D. Long Lake in Union.

Initially, Smith told her family, law enforcement, and then the nation that a black man held her at gunpoint and stole her car while the children were inside. Smith, along with the boys’ father, pleaded on camera for their children’s return.

An extensive search lasted nine days, drawing thousands of tips from across the country. After those nine days, Smith confessed and the world learned the truth. There was no mystery suspect and no hope that the children were still alive.

Instead, Susan killed them herself.

The prosecutor in the case, Tommy Pope, told FOX Carolina he had no choice but to seek the death penalty.

“I knew the difficulty of getting in, but I knew we would do everything we could to seek justice,” Pope told FOX Carolina.

Ultimately, after hearing Smith’s defense argue that the murders were the result of a failed suicide attempt, the jury decided instead on a life sentence.

Pope, who was 32 when he tried the case, said he accepted and respected the jury’s decision, but saw the case as a failure on his part.

South Carolina laws at the time of Smith’s sentencing meant that Smith would be eligible for parole after serving 30 years. Speaking to FOX Carolina, Pope said that under the law, the jury was not told that parole would be an option when considering his sentence.

“I think the jurors truly believed that he was going to spend the rest of his time in prison,” Pope said.

It’s a sentiment shared by the children’s father, David Smith.

“I’ve been dreading this year for almost 30 years,” David said in an interview with FOX Carolina ahead of his parole hearing. “It would be complete injustice if he got out…it wouldn’t be justice to Michael and Alex. They did nothing to him and he took their lives.”

South Carolina rarely grants parole to criminals, but it is still possible. The latest data from the Department of State’s Probation, Parole and Pardon services shows that only 6% of offenders’ requests are granted.

The parole board will receive Smith’s case file two weeks before his hearing, and members typically vote immediately following testimony from offenders and victims.

Because Smith is a violent offender, he will need two-thirds of the board to vote in favor of parole.

Governor Henry McMaster is responsible for appointing board members. There are seven seats, each representing a different region of the state.

However, one seat has been vacant since 2022. That means if everyone is present on Nov. 20, Smith will need four board members to vote in favor of parole.

The board will examine 15 different criteria, including the opinions of the prosecutor, investigators, victims, their appearance and disciplinary violations during the criminals’ stay in prison.

Susan Smith is currently incarcerated at Leath Correctional Facility in Greenwood. She has received numerous disciplinary actions since 2010, mostly on drug charges and allegations of having an affair with a guard.

He was last sentenced to disciplinary punishment for speaking to a documentarian. Smith agreed to provide contact information to the victims, including David Smith. The documentarian also deposited money into Smith’s account.

“Obviously I can’t speak to his heart,” David said. “That’s between him and God… but I don’t think he’s really changed that much, and I don’t think he ever will.”

FOX Carolina plans to attend Smith’s parole hearing on Nov. 20.

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