Susan Smith, the South Carolina woman whose shocking crime gripped the nation 30 years ago, is up for parole. Smith, now 52, was convicted of drowning her two young sons, Michael, 3, and Alex, 14 months, by rolling her car into a lake in 1994. She initially claimed an armed Black man had carjacked her, igniting racial tensions during a fraught time in America. After nine days and a national search, she confessed, revealing her motive was to preserve an extramarital affair with a man who didn’t want children. Sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years, Smith is now scheduled for her first hearing. Prosecutors, including former lead prosecutor Tommy Pope, and her ex-husband David Smith plan to oppose her release. Smith’s history includes a troubled upbringing marred by her father’s suicide and sexual abuse by her stepfather. Yet, her behavior in prison has been far from exemplary, with infractions including sexual misconduct, drug use, and policy violations. Pope argued that Smith’s actions reflect a lack of true remorse, saying, “She needs to continue to serve her sentence”. Parole remains unlikely, as only 7% of South Carolina applications were granted last year.
RACINE — Tommy Johnson, who was convicted for the death of Willie Henderson Jr., was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole Thursday afternoon.
Johnson’s case was tried in the Racine County Circuit Court, and on July 12, the jury delivered three guilty verdicts after four days of trial and a deliberation that stretched from Thursday to Friday afternoon.
Johnson, who is 32, was convicted of one count of first-degree intentional homicide with the use of a dangerous weapon; one count of endangering safety with the reckless use of a firearm; and one count of possessing a firearm as an out-of-state felony.
The Legislature mandates a life sentence for a conviction of first-degree intentional homicide, and Deputy District Attorney Chris Steenrod argued that Johnson should not have the possibility of parole.
Steenrod said that the evidence presented at trial demonstrates Johnson’s actions were “calculated and cold blooded.”
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According to the state’s argument made during the trial, on Sept. 4, 2023, Johnson shot and killed Henderson while he was backing out of a driveway in an SUV in the 3000 block of Victory Avenue.
Henderson was 58 years old at the time.
Johnson reportedly had mistaken Henderson for Guy Evans, a man Johnson had quarreled with in the past.
“In this case, life must mean life,” Steenrod said in court. “In this case, Mr. Johnson showed no mercy to the victim, and he deserves no mercy.”
Johnson took the stand in his own defense in July. He has maintained his innocence, and declined to make a statement during the sentencing hearing.
Johnson’s attorney, Mindy Nolan, argued that the possibility of parole does not mean a guarantee of parole and stressed Johnson’s work history and his presence in his two sons’ lives.
She also noted that recidivism declines significantly after incarcerated individuals reach 65.
Judge Timothy Boyle sided with the state and sentenced Johnson to life without the possibility of parole on the first count, which includes a five-year enhancer because Johnson reportedly used a dangerous weapon.
Boyle further sentenced Johnson to a total of 10 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision for counts two and three.
The sentences will run consecutively.
“If there was a definition of evil, that would be it,” Boyle said about the shooting. “It’s real simple. When I’m dealing with evil … evil should not be in the public.”
Henderson’s sister and wife made statements to the court, which included a gallery full of onlookers.
“I just need some kind of peace,” Henderson’s wife, Latoya Henderson, said.
Willie Henderson had eight children, and the couple shared two girls, 13 and 24, and one son, who is 21.
Boyle cautioned onlookers to act appropriately in the wake of his sentence.
“These cases are beyond tragic for all involved,” he said. “Obviously I was privy to the tension in the courtroom, and I trust that all those involved in this case will not take that tension and do something completely inappropriate.”
