The Crime
On 19 October 1994, 23-year-old Susan Smith, put her two sons, Michael, 3, and Alex, 14-months, into her car. Her sleeping children still strapped into the back seat, Susan allowed the car to roll into the John D. Long Lake and sink. Frantic and crying, Susan went to a nearby home, claiming she had been carjacked at gun point by a black man, who had made off with her car and her sons.

The Search for the Children
For nine days, Susan and her estranged husband David made several national television appearances, pleading emotionally with whoever had their boys to return them unharmed. Family, friends and neighbours helped the police in an intense search for the carjacker and the two boys. The police soon noticed discrepancies in the story and began to suspect Susan. She finally broke down and directed them to the lake. After nine days underwater, the bodies of her children had been ravaged by the elements. Her confession stunned the nation and devastated her husband David and the tiny Southern town that had rallied to her side.

The Investigation
Both boys were buried in the same coffin on 6 November 1994. David Bruck, an attorney well known for defending death penalty cases, moved in as Susan’s attorney, assisted by public defender, Judy Clark. Thomas Pope, for the prosecution, announced he would seek the death penalty. Judge William Howard presided, implementing a gag order, banning cameras from the courtroom and sequestering the jury. By 17 July 1995, the case was ready for trial.

The Trial
Fifty reporters entered the courtroom each day and numerous satellite trucks lined the small streets of Union, South Carolina. The guilt phase of the trial lasted for a week. On Saturday 22 July 1995, it took the jury only two and a half hours to find her guilty on two counts of murder. It was now up to the jury to decide if Susan Smith should die, or live the rest of her life in prison.

The Sentence
The penalty phase of the Susan Smith trial began on Monday 24 July 1995. Whilst the testimony was often emotional and gripping, Susan herself never testified nor addressed the jury. She sat, often with her head in her hands, sometimes fidgeting or shaking her leg. In just two and a half hours of deliberation, the jury voted unanimously to spare Susan's life. She was sentenced to life in prison and will not be eligible for parole until 2024. Susan cried and hugged her attorney when the sentence was announced. The children's father was disappointed that she didn't get the death penalty.