#35 | Murders of the 90s Part Three: Susan Smith
‘Not to be judgemental but I’m going to be judgemental’
This week on Up To 90, we talk more 90s murders, with Susan Smith this week.
On July 22, 1995, Susan Smith was convicted of the 1994 drowning deaths of her two sons, three-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alexander. The case both appalled and fascinated the world in equal measure as the murky circumstance surrounding the killing was gradually unveiled to the masses.
The case gained international attention because of Smith’s false claim that an African-American man had kidnapped her sons during a carjacking. The case shone a light on racial tensions in the small town community of Union, South Carolina, and also shone a light on complex relationships, sexual jealousies and harrowing family secrets.
Her defense attorneys, David Bruck and Judy Clarke, called expert witnesses to testify that she suffered from mental health issues that impaired her judgment when she committed the crimes, but many questions remain unanswered in relation to motive, what really happened that evening and whether or not a failed relationship and ‘Dear John’ letter was really what spurred Smith to commit this terrible crime.
Sure it wouldn’t be an Up to 90 episode if Julie wasn’t banging on about murder would it? Happy New Year Guys, celebrate 2019 by reviewing us on iTunes (and following us on Twitter and Insta @upto90podcast) and making Emma smile(ish).
