Susan Smith Jury to Hear More Testimony at Penalty Phase of Trial

The jury that convicted Susan Smith of murder for drowning her two young sons is due to hear more gut-wrenching testimony today when it meets to decide whether to sentence her to life in prison or death in the electric chair.

Under South Carolina law, 24 hours must elapse before jurors in a death penalty case can be presented with new evidence as they decide the punishment.

Prosecutors are expected to detail aggravating circumstances to persuade the jury to sentence Smith to death, while the defense will note the major depression and other trauma in her life as mitigating factors for the crime.

A life sentence would mean Smith is sent to the Women’s Correctional Institution in Columbia, S.C., and would not be eligible for parole until 2024.

A death sentence would make her the only woman ever to be executed in the state.

Smith, who is white, told authorities on Oct. 25 that a black man hijacked her car, made her drive to a desolate area and then pushed her out and took off with the boys screaming in the back.

She made nationally televised pleas for the boys’ safe return, but saw her hoax gradually unravel. On Nov. 3, she admitted to attempting suicide at Lake John D. Long and causing the deaths of Michael, 3, and Alex, 14 months.