Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 5, 1994 TAG: 9411080020
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From The Associated Press and The Washington Post
DATELINE: UNION, S.C. LENGTH: Medium
``Hold your head up! You're a baby murderer!'' one woman shouted as Smith was led into the courthouse after nine days of insisting the boys were abducted by a carjacker.
Her lawyer waived the bail hearing and Smith never appeared in court. She was taken to a prison near Columbia, where a spokeswoman said she would be kept in isolation for her safety.
The 23-year-old secretary was arrested Thursday and charged with murder in the drowning of 3-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alexander. Prosecutor Thomas Pope said he may seek the death penalty.
Investigators said she confessed, leading them Thursday to the car submerged in John D. Long Lake. The bodies were found in the back seat.
``Her whole world was crashing,'' a law enforcement source said on condition of anonymity. ``She caught her husband in adultery. She was having a relationship with another guy and he was breaking it off. He had told her he wasn't ready for a ready-made family.''
Tom Findlay, 27, said through his lawyer that he broke off their relationship Oct. 18.
``I was not ready to assume the important responsibilities of being a father,'' although that was not the only reason, he said. ``At no time did I suggest ... that her children were the only obstacle in any potential relationship with her.''
Findlay went to police early in the investigation and was not a suspect, the law enforcement source said. However, Smith was suspected almost from the beginning because of inconsistencies in her story.
During the investigation, Sheriff Howard Wells had downplayed speculation that she was the culprit. Sources speaking on condition of anonymity said police had feared Smith might commit suicide and take the secret of the children's whereabouts to her grave.
Investigators believe Smith slipped her car into drive Oct. 25 and let it slide into the rural lake with her two boys trapped inside. Wells said an autopsy indicated the boys were alive when the car plunged into the lake, and then drowned.
Authorities said they did not believe her husband, David Smith, or others were involved.
Outside the courthouse Friday, Susan Smith covered her face with her manacled hands as she was led into the courthouse. Police had to hold back about 100 people who surged toward her.
``We're all just thoroughly disappointed and angry,'' said Bill Graham, owner of Graham's Flowers on Main Street. ``It's so senseless for two little, innocent children to be killed for no reason at all, like they were expendable.''
by CNB