Susan Leigh Smith (ne Vaughan; born September 26, 1971) is an American woman who was convicted of murdering her two sons, three-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alexander, in 1994 by drowning them in a South Carolina lake. They planned historic-home tours, an art exhibit, a barbecue cookoff, a log-rolling contest and live bands. Do you favor or oppose the death penalty for Timothy McVeigh if he is convicted of the bombing in Oklahoma City? . Findlay said Smith was in a suicidal panic the day before her children disappeared because she feared her estranged husband, David Smith, was "going to make it public" that she had cheated on him with Russell, who was then active in the Christian Coalition and state Republican Party politics. In the summer of 1988, Susan got a temporary job as a cashier at a local grocery store. These feelings may change one day, but I doubt it. However, RST 106 on large potato leaved types did well when grown in grow bags. And I want you to know that I am flattered that you have such a high opinion of me. But after that, Susan was severely punished for exposing what was described by her mother as family conflicts. Appearances seemed to matter more than her daughters well-being. During her trial, Susans stepfather, testified that he had sexually molested his stepdaughter when she was a teenager and again in the months leading up to her drowning the boys. The most startling testimony, however, came from Smith's ex-lover, Thomas Findlay, who said aloud in open court what has been whispered in this small Southern town since Susan Smith confessed to murder last fall -- that she had been having a secret affair with her stepfather, Beverly Russell. Chicago Tribune Ms. Smith's letter (handwritten, not dated): ``Dear Tom, ``Just a note to say thank you for everything. Recently, someone gave them a toy truck, a tiny plastic horse, two pinwheels (one for each brother), a plaster angel kneeling in prayer, a $2 bouquet of supermarket flowers and miniature wind chimes, left to tinkle softly in the country graveyard. This didnt seem to work, so she told him about the supposed affair with her boss, also Toms father, and warned him that the details of the relationship might come to light during the next few days. Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and its effects can be seen all around us. . " Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). She also had dramatic moments of deep sobbing, but remained dry-eyed and tearless. The card reads, "Never forgotten.". I do want us to be friends forever and Ill never let anything happen that would change that. Besides, I want you to feel good about yourself, and I am afraid that if you sleep with B. During the marriage, Smith had several affairs, and in August, 1993, after the birth of her second son, she hooked up with her wealthy boss, Tom Findlay. While being treated in the hospital, she admitted that she had already attempted suicide when she was thirteen. Smith was convicted of two counts of murder and is serving a life sentence in Leath Correctional Institution in Greenwood, S.C. Bruck had it exactly right. Initially, Smith told authorities a black man had carjacked her and kidnapped the boys. Susan told her mother and Social Services what had happened. Smith was also disciplined in 2000 for having sex four times with prison guard Houston Cagle, who later pleaded guilty and spent three months behind bars for the crime. But just dont get seriously involved with anyone until you have done the things in life that you want to do, first. The couple asked Linda for another loan to buy a property, but what was supposed to bring happiness only left Susan more and more distant. [2] I could never express in words how much you mean to me. Either way, before you settle down with anyone again, there is something you need to do. To help restore its pride, Union leaders last year started a weekend festival. With the boys' at her side, Smith issues a national appeal for help. So is Sheriff Howard Wells, whose office wall is crowded with photographs and certificates of gratitude, not only for his integrity, but for coming across on camera as a noble representative of Union and South Carolina. Susan could not continue working at the same place as David, so she looked for a new job. At the lake where they died, a little girl from Monroe, N.C., left a stuffed scarecrow and a pumpkin made of cornhusks. 90 Day Fiance's Hamza's Green Card Status 'Battle' Amid Memphis Divorce, '90 Day Fiance' Star Memphis Smith Alleges Hamza Moknii Was 'Abusive', 90 Day's Hamza Requested Paternity Test for Daughter Amid Memphis Split. He said she slammed her hand down on the table, uttered a profanity and said, " I can't believe you think that!' I told her the intimate part of our relationship would have to end. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. He noted that as good as Smiths children may be, the fact was he did not want any children. They eventually settled down in a brick starter home in Union. Whether you are using plastic or fabric containers, Earthboxes, or even old buttercream buckets, there are a few important things to consider before planting. Throughout the nine-day investigation, Susan received several polygraphs and was questioned about the inconsistencies in her carjacking story. She reddened slightly and stared back at him. These feelings may change one day, but I doubt it. Susan Smith chose to do the worst thing a mother can do and covered it up, Pope argued, pushing for the death penalty. Halleck said that she had sex with Tom Findlay, 28, the textile heir, but that he was not the main focus of her life. Bev was influential in the community, had good lawyers who would know how to successfully suppress situations like this. 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If a mother who deliberately drowns her children in a pique over a failed romance doesn't deserve to die, who does? I could never express in words how much you mean to me. On October 25, 1994, the Union native, who was 23 years old at the time, called the police and claimed an armed black man stole her car and drove off with her two sons inside. He quickly pulled her out of his office. . Amazon But her composure crumbled when the diver who found her two small sons in her car at the bottom of John D. Long Lake took the stand. The justice system imposes the death penalty far more often than it actually delivers it (page 24). She claimed that she did not see any other cars on the road, but the light turned red. Russell, 48, was then active in South Carolina Republican politics and in Pat Robertson's Christian Coalition--but he is no longer, and the shattering disclosures triggered by his stepdaughter's prosecution are the reason. The mom of two made headlines at the time of the news due to her shocking motive and she has since been behaving herself behind bars, which means she could soon be a free woman. She was really obsessed. A nine-man, three-woman jury unanimously votes for life in prison. Pastors who together counseled the inconsolable community became close friends. On the outside everything looked good, but Susan carried with her a big family secret. In a day filled with dramatic testimony, Smith sat blank-faced as witnesses took the stand and painted a conflicting portrait of the 23-year-old defendant as a vixenish adulteress, a lovesick secretary, an abused child, a frightened wife, a skillful liar and a doting mother. The children received love, attention, and were very happy. The jury was 11-1 in favor of life in prison when it began deliberating her sentence, and the lone hard-liner finally joined the majority. Smith was separated from her now-ex-husband, and started dating. At the time, Tom didnt know, but she had sex with David; her stepfather, Bev Russell; and also her boss, who was Toms father. Many people believe her motive was because she was dating a man who didnt want children at the time. Patrick is in there. . Susans ex, Tom Findlay, ironically went on to find happiness with a girlfriend and HER TWO KIDS! Russell has not attended the trial but may be called as a witness. Susan, I value our friendship very much. Is Every Duggar Ridiculously Messy? She seemed very nervous and asked to leave work early. It is the story of a woman who, to judge by the evidence ofher life, succumbed to her own molestation as a teenager and grew up to become a promiscuous, sexually exploitive adult. It was October 25, 1994, Susan was at work. There was no motive as it was not even a planned event. In late October and early November 1994, the town of Union, S.C., ceased to be just another speck on the map. Tom Findlay, get over yourself..youre really not all that attractive anyway. Susanslover Tom Findlaydoes not appear to have an online presence now. I will always be here for you! Caso Criminal 2023 - All rights reserved. The town of 10,000 started the event following the Susan Smith murder trial to showcase its softer side," the Journal wrote. They contacted two of the nation's largest newspapers, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal, to suggest a news item. " And Susan Smith thought she had him hooked. "He that is without sin among you," Bruck said, "let him first cast a stone at her. And it brought her David Bruck. The steady drip of revelation, each more damning than the last, seemed almost certain to lead to her execution. At this point she seemed to get everything she wanted, especially about relationships with men. Before she and David began to date, Susan told a psychiatrist, she had an affair with a store manager who was subsequently transferred out of town. Last year, I grew Fortamino but the seeds didnt do well at all. Tom Findlay, Susan Smith's ex-lover, started a new life in Birmingham, Ala. Cary Findlay, who is Tom Findlay's father and Susan Smith's former employer, let his mansion become a. Name: Susan Vaughan Smith D.O.B: September 26, 1971 Place of Birth: Union, South Carolina Parents: Linda & Harry Vaughan Conviction Date: July 22, 1995 Sentence: LIFE . "Dear Susan," Findlay said. Susan Smith Trial: 1995 Defendant: Susan SmithCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: David Bruck and Judy ClarkeChief Prosecutor: Tommy PopeJudge: . Shell have to keep behaving herself like she has been as of late, an insider told, Smith was also disciplined in 2000 for having sex four times with prison guard, , who later pleaded guilty and spent three months behind bars for the crime. They were buckled into their car seats when their mother stepped out, lowered the emergency brake and let the car roll down the steep ramp, into the deep water. In Northern California, side grafting wasnt very successful either. The man she wrote about was a graphic artist named Tom Findlay, who enthralled the court with details of a stormy relationship that came to a head on October 25, 1994. Keep scrolling below to find out more about Susan Smiths case, trial and to find out where she is today. The letter is dated Oct. 17, 1994. Thank you for the info. David Smith, last anyone heard, had moved to Florida. http://www.abcnews4.com/story/26887424/a-look-back-the-susan-smith-case. I wont do that again. His father attempted suicide and his mother left for another city. I am shocked how nobody speaks of him yet he casued so much harm by modeling Susan at 15 AND kept on having sex with Susan his dauther after Susan got maried. There is someone out there for you. Most of them have left town. We met at Conso (the company Findlays father operates, where Ms. Smith also worked), and I fell for her like `a ton of bricks. Well, even though I fell enlove (sic) with Laura, I had my doubts about a long and lasting commitment, but I never said anything, and I eventually hurt her very, very deeply. After the first sentence, insert eyes rolling in parentheses. Although prosecutors sought the death penalty, Susan was sentenced to life in prison. Who knows what the future holds for our relationship. When a place has been forced to defend itself before the eyes of the world, there is no road map for recovery. From extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and wildfires to the melting of polar ice caps and rising sea levels, it's clear that our planet is in trouble. After a few months Susan seemed to regret her decision, she filed for divorce once again. In 1994, Smith strapped her two sons, 3-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alex, into their car seats and pushed the vehicle into a lake. You are one of the few people on this earth that I feel I can tell anything. Tom, meanwhile, was trying to figure out how he would end his relationship with Susan. Yet, he said Life is much better now, and noted that he is doing well. This compact, bushy plant produces bright red tomatoes that ripen early in the season. Tom Findlay, 28, is a graphic designer who works in his father's firm. Susan may say that she wouldnt care (copy unintelligible) husband had an affair, but you and I know, that is not true. Was she just a victim of the abuse she suffered, or a cold-hearted murderer of her two young children? The two had always proved to be good parents. It takes 60 days for Red Rocket tomatoes to reach maturit, Rootstock Selection for Short Season Tomatoes: What to Consider and Recommended Varieties, Rootstock selection is an important part of successful tomato production, especially in short seasons. Actually, it "literally says" after 4 years he allowed her to leave, go shopping AND get a job. 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