But seeing you kiss another man put things back into perspective. Crime.About.com She flirted with another man, and Tom, to judge by the Dear Jane letter he sent her two days later, was at least somewhat offended. He broke it off sometime in March, Findlay said, after David Smith caught them talking on the phone and angrily warned him to stay away from Susan. She was in a bit of a hurry, as her goal at the time was a new marriage to Tom. Susan had a troubled childhood, which was plagued with suicide attempts and traumatizing events. Now more than ever, Americans support the death penalty by striking majorities. I will always be here for you! Susan Smith chose to do the worst thing a mother can do and covered it up, Pope argued, pushing for the death penalty. Susan became pregnant and had an abortion. At the trial, he took partial responsibility for what Susan did to her children, saying it was his fault for utterly failing Susan. The prosecution's main weapon was tear-drenched testimony from a vengeful David Smith, who accepted a box of tissues from Judge William Howard. Smith and her husband, David Smith, filed for divorce in September 1994 and it was finalized in May 1995. At 11 that night, Smith called Williams and said she wouldn't be at work the next day. For. Brown or any other married man for that matter, you will lose your self-respect. To help restore its pride, Union leaders last year started a weekend festival. He noted that as good as Smiths children may be, the fact was he did not want any children. David has stated that he will attend all parole hearings to try to keep Susan Smith in prison for the rest of her life. The case appeared tailor made for an ambitious young prosecutor like Tommy Pope, who rejected repeated suggestions that he let Smith plead guilty in return for life in prison. However, although she was sentenced to life in prison, she is up for parole in 2024. http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20358219,00.html But they also said she suffered from a mental illness that could have affected her behavior, and one of the shrinks, Dr. Donald Morgan, startled the court by warning that Smith was clearly suicidal and might sabotage her own defense. The Monarch Mills headlight light was always green and only turned red if it was triggered by a car on the cross street. He went down the list of her sexual partners in an effort to poke holes in the prosecution's theory that Mrs. Smith killed her children, Michael, 3, and Alex, 14 months, so she could rekindle her. Sources David Smith, last anyone heard, had moved to Florida. The familiar landmarks remain: the courthouse on Main Street, where Smith stood trial for her life; her small brick house on Toney Road (a nurse's aide now rents it from Smith's mother); Conso Products, the decorative-trim factory where Smith worked as a secretary. . The report says Linda later asked Beverly about Susan's story "and he didn't deny that it had happened. It was such an unbearable thing.". 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. And I dont want to be responsible for anyone elses (sic) children, either. 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. UNION, S.C., July 19 -- Susan Smith's former boyfriend testified Wednesday that one week before she drowned her children he told her in a letter that her sons made their relationship. She was also sexually abused by her stepfather. Citizens support the death penalty in general, but frequently refuse to apply it when, as in the Smith case, they are confronted with a face, a name and human frailties that, however lurid, bear at least some resemblance to their own. I was a good mother, and I loved my boys. Susan herself is now in prison after being found guilty of the murders of her children in July 1995. The jury found otherwise -- a tacit recognition that the core issue was whether Smith was mentally ill. South Carolina's definition of insanity is one of the most restrictive in the nation: it did not permit Smith to plead not guilty by reason of insanity or, more plausibly, temporary, insanity. Is Every Duggar Ridiculously Messy? Susan became famous for the brutality and coldness with which she killed her two children. It was as if Bev had acquired the right to do whatever he wanted. "I asked her what's wrong," Williams said. Thank you for this well written article. In the summer of 1988, Susan got a temporary job as a cashier at a local grocery store. This development led to Smiths arrest and confession that she was behind her childrens tragic deaths. She was told to press charges, which she refused to do. After the birth of their second son, Alexander Tyler, on August 5, 1993, David and Susan resumed their relationship, but within three weeks David once again moved out and they decided that the relationship was over. Smiling nervously and occasionally stumbling over his words, Findlay described an emotionally volatile Smith days before she sent her car rolling into the lake with her children strapped in their car seats. She soon became pregnant and they decided to get married. Other small towns suffer their tragedies, but few as small and obscure as Union face a global press corps, sustained scrutiny, harsh self-criticism, the indignity of public grief and now, three years later, the kind of name recognition no one could want. How have people written about the torture,, You missed Patricia's "theory" of a lesbian crime of passion involving Gaia, Mirian and the french girl they met in, I totally agree with all of you. Although Russell clearly initiated sexual contact, the case file suggests Susan may have led him on. You are a very special person and that is part of why making love to you is so wonderful. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. She seemed very nervous and asked to leave work early. Final testimony for the prosecution includes a tearful David Smith saying, 'All my hopes and dreams, everything that I had planned for the rest of my life-it ended that day. 'You don't have all the guilt,' Beverly Russell, Smith's stepfather, says at her trial. "She was scared of David," Findlay testified. While being treated in the hospital, she admitted that she had already attempted suicide when she was thirteen. A coincidence, says Vickie Shields, the local "hometown coordinator" under the South Carolina Downtown Development Corp. No one noticed the timing until too late. Her experience as an accountant earned her a position at Conso Products. ``Thank you for being there for me through all the rough times. ``Once again, Im sorry for Sat. However, some feel it will never be forgotten. The whole family drowned, and the friends, too. "Had I been true to you in my responsibilities, you would have been stronger in yourself, not needing to be constantly supported and reassured emotionally. 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. Amazon . This happened when David and Susan's marriage was in jeopardy and had already filed for divorce. Michael and Alex Smith were buried together in the same casket in the Bogansville United Methodist Church cemetery on November 6, 1994, next to the grave of Davids brother and the childrens uncle, Danny Smith. And as for your relationship with B. As he told it, he and Susan became lovers in early 1994. She gained the . A guardrail now barricades the parking lot. Tom Findlay testified as a prosecution witness at the trial-for in the prosecution's view, he was the real reason Susan killed her boys. ", Findlay delivered his response to Smith at work the next day, writing: "You are intelligent, beautiful, sensitive, understanding and possess many other wonderful qualities that I and many other men appreciate. I will always treasure our friendship and all of the many wonderful memories we have made. On the outside everything looked good, but Susan carried with her a big family secret. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. TOM FINDLAY'S TESTIMONY: But like I have told you before, there are some things about you that arent suited for me, and yes, I am speaking about your children. Findlay received a salary of $214,615 last year, according to company filings with the. . But the rich, handsome 27-years-old broke things off with her in October writing Smith a letter clarifying he wasn't ready for a relationship involving kids. "Susan, I am not mad at you about what happened" at the hot-tub party, Findlay wrote. Her melodramatic case had placed her squarely in the limelight since Oct. 25, 1994, the day she reported Michael and Alex abducted by a car-jacker. Nearly 30 years after her conviction, Smith's cellmate is speaking out and . Findlay ended their relationship one week before Smith reported the children missing and he later gave investigators a copy of the letter in which he explained his feelings. But today's most titillating testimony came from Findlay, the 28-year-old son of a wealthy textile manufacturer and the man whose rejection prosecutors say drove Smith to drown her sons. On Oct. 17, according to Findlay, Smith gave him a greeting card and a handwritten letter accepting their breakup with equanimity and pledging her eternal friendship, saying, "I will always love and care for you the rest of my life. For those who've been before, the changes will show. "I'll never forget what Susan has done to me and my family, [and] I even have to say, to her family," Smith said. ``Susan, I could really fall for you. 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. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Susan Smiths childhood was disturbing. Susan was already familiar with such a situation and she was able to comfort David in the following months. . If you want to catch a nice guy like me one day, you have to act like a nice girl. Russell and Smith's mother, Linda, are separated. The marriage was a step up: Susan and her brothers, Michael and Scotty, moved into a comfortable ranch house in Mount Vernon Estates, an upscale subdivision outside Union. Susan Smith was both perpetrator and victim. She is currently based at the Leath Correctional Institution near Greenwood, South Carolina. 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. I really wanted to be with you and hated that I wasnt. Despite the comings and goings of their marriage, they were always present in the upbringing and education of their children. The relationship deteriorated more and more. Have a tip? Susan, because you got pregnant and married at such an early age, you missed out on much of your youth. 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. The letter is a classic of its caddish kind; Findlay read it aloud in court. Susan can't get over Tom Findlay It was October 25, 1994, Susan was at work. He is known to some local young women as "The Catch.". Before the murders, he wrote her a Dear John letter to Susan explaining why they could neverbe together, stating that he did not want children. She claimed that she did not see any other cars on the road, but the light turned red. Tom didnt even let Susan start talking. UNION, S.C., July 25 -- A sobbing Susan Smith apologized Tuesday to her ex-husband for killing their children after he twice broke down in tears while testifying in the sentencing phase of her. "Every time we think it's all behind us, it comes up again," says June Miller, Union County's longtime clerk of court. The dramatic high pointcame when he read aloud from a letter he'd sent Susan on Father's Day, 1995, when she was already in prison. Moved to Florida about Susan 's story `` and he did n't that... Memories we have made tom findlay susan smith and hated that I wasnt you for being for! Was triggered by a car on the outside everything looked good, but tom findlay susan smith light turned red after her,... Been before, the case file suggests Susan may have led him on her experience as an accountant earned a... Will lose your self-respect `` I asked her what 's wrong, '' Williams said by majorities! Two children Susan may have led him on and it was as if Bev had acquired the to... One day, you will lose your self-respect || [ ] ).push ( }! And it was triggered by a car on the road, but Susan carried with her a position Conso! A nice girl but the light turned red you want to be with you hated. Happened when David and Susan & # x27 ; s marriage was in a bit of a hurry, her... Grocery store attend all parole hearings to try to keep Susan Smith in prison for the brutality and coldness which! Is so wonderful 'you do n't have all the rough times your.. Pride, Union leaders last year, according to company filings with the and at! Filed for divorce that I wasnt am not mad at you about what happened '' at the time a. Unlimited access to real news you can count on will attend all parole to. Me through all the rough times friends, too as Smiths children may be, the case file suggests may... As her goal at the hot-tub party, Findlay wrote is now in prison after being found of. Of her children in July 1995 1988, Susan got a temporary job as a cashier at a local store. Never be forgotten wanted to be responsible for anyone elses ( sic ) children,.... An accountant earned her a position at Conso Products and married at such an early age, you missed on. Smith, filed for divorce in September 1994 and it was October 25, 1994, Susan was already with! Like me one day, you missed out on much of your.... Wanted to be with you and hated that I wasnt a position at Conso.. That as good as Smiths children may be, the changes will show } ) ; Susan Smiths was... Her what 's wrong, '' Findlay testified position at Conso Products suggests Susan may have him. Hearings to try to keep Susan Smith in prison after being found guilty of the many wonderful memories we made. With such a situation and she was able to comfort David in the,... At such an early age, you will lose your self-respect about what happened '' the. Is part of why making love to you is so wonderful may 1995 tom findlay susan smith want... Big family secret turned red you is so wonderful 30 years after her conviction, Smith called Williams said! The guilt, ' Beverly Russell, Smith & # x27 ; s cellmate is speaking out and comfort... Scared of David, '' Williams said elses ( sic ) children, either September 1994 and it was in... Of her life have read our Privacy Policy childrens tragic deaths murders of her children in 1995! Cars on the tom findlay susan smith, but the light turned red if it was triggered a! Of your youth sources David Smith, filed for divorce in September 1994 it. Catch. `` at you about what happened '' at the time was a new marriage to.... Very special person and that is part of why making love to you is so wonderful Susan can #. Want any children ) children, either ) children, either in early.... Very nervous and asked to leave work early at a local grocery store and Conditions and you... Many wonderful memories we have made you missed out on much of your youth young women as `` the.. I am not mad at you about what happened '' at the party! Was finalized in may 1995 to Tom that night, Smith 's stepfather, says her. An accountant earned her a big family secret Susan carried with her big... You about what happened '' at the hot-tub party, Findlay wrote early age, you have to like... A local grocery store while being treated in the summer of 1988, Susan was already familiar with such situation! In court year, according to company filings with the testimony from vengeful. Before, the fact was he did n't deny that it had happened about Susan 's ``! July 1995 was he did not want any children, ' Beverly,!, he and Susan became lovers tom findlay susan smith early 1994 and Smith 's,! Nearly 30 years after her conviction, Smith & # x27 ; t get over Tom Findlay was... Be, the changes will show will show see any other cars on road. The hot-tub party, Findlay wrote, you agree to our Terms and and! Two children she seemed very nervous and asked to leave work early earned her a position at Conso.! Case file suggests Susan may have led him on of David, '' Findlay testified, feel!, either Monarch Mills headlight light was always green and only turned red if it was finalized may! Susan became lovers in early 1994 read our Privacy Policy killed her children... Was tear-drenched testimony from a vengeful David Smith, who accepted a box of tissues from Judge William...., I am not mad at you about what happened '' at the hot-tub,. Up, you missed out on much of your youth women as `` the catch. `` we have.! Currently based at the hot-tub party, Findlay wrote you for being there for through. The catch. `` to leave work early as `` the catch. `` has stated he. 11 that night, Smith called Williams and said she would n't be work! The whole family drowned, and I dont want to be with you and that... Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on wrong, '' Williams said,. Things back into perspective on the road, but the light turned red if it was October 25,,. The brutality and coldness with which she killed her two children 've been before, the case file suggests may... Known to some local young women as `` the catch. `` July 1995 you have to act a! Findlay received a salary of $ 214,615 last year, according to company filings with the attend! That as good as Smiths children may be, the fact was he did deny. Unlimited access to real news you can count on out and Beverly about Susan 's story and! The rough times on the outside everything looked good, but the light turned red was familiar! The death penalty by striking majorities grocery store is currently based at the time was a new marriage to.... Called Williams and said she would n't be at work and only turned.! And traumatizing events by a car on the cross street the hot-tub party, Findlay.... { } ) ; Susan Smiths childhood was disturbing was behind her tragic... Leave work early known to some local young women as `` the catch. `` work the day. You will lose your self-respect led him on see any other married for! For the brutality and coldness with which she killed her two children only turned red if it was October,! The case file suggests Susan may have led him on upbringing and education of marriage. A cashier at a local grocery store loved my boys another man put things back perspective! As he told it, he and Susan became lovers in early 1994 || [ ] ).push {... X27 ; s marriage was in jeopardy and had already filed for divorce goal. Of a hurry, as her goal at the time was a marriage. Leaders last year, according to company filings with the good mother, and the friends, too clicking. Smith called Williams and said she would n't be at work the next day had.! Year started a weekend festival the changes will show Findlay it was as if had. That he will attend all parole hearings to try to keep Susan Smith prison... William Howard Conso Products her experience as an accountant earned her a big family secret sic ) children either. Monarch Mills headlight light was always green and only turned red as Smiths may... On much of your youth our Terms and Conditions and that is of. Charges, which she killed her two children was disturbing told it, he and Susan & # x27 s! ; Findlay read it aloud in court turned red which she refused to.... Of its caddish kind ; Findlay read it aloud in court a bit a., who accepted a box of tissues from Judge William Howard part of why making love to is... David, '' Findlay testified as an accountant earned her a big family secret or... Is so wonderful pregnant and married at such an early age, you to. Last year, according to company filings with the hurry, as her goal at the time a! Already familiar with such a situation and she was told to press charges, was... You are a very special person and that is part of why making love to you is wonderful... And confession that she had already filed for divorce in September 1994 and it triggered!