A Brief Overview of the Susan Smith Court Case

Essay by workalot1High School, 12th gradeA, August 2004

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On the night of October 25, 1994 Susan Smith took the lives of her two sons. Susan Smith committed the most unthinkable act when she broke humanity's most sacred trust, the love of a mother for her children (Crime Library).

On November 18, 1994, a hearing was held before Circuit Judge John Hayes at the request of Solicitor Thomas Pope. Pope requested that Susan undergo a psychological examination by an impartial physician to determine whether she was criminally responsible for the crime she had confessed to and if she was competent to stand trial (Crime Library). On July 11, 1995, after a two-day hearing, Judge Howard ruled that Susan was mentally competent to stand trial. The trial was scheduled on Tuesday, July 18, 1995, the day the trial was set to begin, the Union County Courthouse received a bomb threat that required the evacuation of everyone inside.

The man who telephoned the threat was quickly found and arrested. Opening statements began on Wednesday, July 19, 1995 and the closing statements were given on Saturday, July 22, 1995 (crime Library).

Susan Smith had been convicted of killing her two children but what really happened that night. On the night of October 25, 1994 she came to the Shore of John D. Long Lake, Susan drove across a portion of the seventy-five-foot boat ramp and parked her 1990 burgundy Mazda Protégé in the middle of the ramp. At first Mrs. Smith wanted to commit suicide. She shifted the Mazda into neutral and felt the car slowly begin to roll down the remaining length of the boat ramp. The car only traveled a few yards before Susan stepped on the brake. She opened her door and stepped out of the car. Her attempt at suicide was not accomplished but...