pdlinda

Just a collateral observation, having done criminal defense work for many years (now retired), the dental condition of MANY of the participants led me to believe that serious DRUG USE MAY HAVE contributed to their overall functioning.

Seemed like there was MUCH MORE to her story than was aired. I was curious about the relationship she severed and how much $$$ she was able to walk away with after the split. Also, the daughter. They seemed relatively close in age. The daughter seemed very "passive" and "dependent" on mom (which was perfectly fine with mom).

I did criminal defense representation for many years. Our system is based on the premise that a defendant IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT. The job of the DEFENSE is to poke holes in the State's case to the point of convincing even ONE JUROR that a "reasonable doubt" exists. That's the CORNERSTONE OF AMERICAN JURISPRUDENCE and it makes our Country live up to its moral and ethical foundation of judicial integrity. The issue is NOT whether the defendant committed the crime. It's whether the State can convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that he/she did what he/she is being charged with by the State. On that note, it is IMPERATIVE to request an attorney when being interviewed by the police about possible criminal behavior. Putting up a fierce defense is NECESSARY because if that's not the case, and the defendant is found GUILTY, he/she will appeal, and probably WIN on the basis of "ineffective assistance of counsel." In this case, I think the defense appellate atty will request a new trial based upon the judge's ruling to OMIT the defense claim that an alternative "cult" ritual killing was responsible for the girls' ultimate death. Just my opinion!

DITTO

Susan is seriously mentally ill. The prison is mandated to treat her for her condition(s). I WONDER WHAT MEDS SHE'S ON?? That could materially impact on her presentation for a hearing like this. ....such as it is serving a life sentence in prison. Some would term it an "existence." I say that having done defense work in the criminal justice system (now retired) for many, many years.

Thanks for the research that answers my question. Your success in dealing with the horrendous experience you had as a child is inspirational. Unfortunately, Susan can never succeed in life because of the unspeakable crime she committed.

Susan obviously has personality features that need ongoing and continuing treatment. Whether she's getting the help she needs in prison is problematic. I have a question: The step-father admitted he molested her FOR YEARS! That a CRIME. In my state, it's a crime that is a SERIOUS FELONY...YEARS IN PRISON! In my state there is NO STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON CHILD MOLESTATION OR MURDER. Why wasn't he ARRESTED by the court officers right there and then? As a form of contrition, he paid for her defense; however, we can see that Susan's experience being his victim certainly had life-long effects on her mental health. Whether she wanted to request his prosecution or not, in my State he would have been arrested and charged with the serious felonies he committed against her.

If Susan Smith was truly repentant, she would NEVER, EVER have requested parole. She would serve her time with humility and conscious self reflection and take the prison courses she would need to "counsel" other inmates to try and avoid the outcome she fell victim to committing. She doesn't need to be released to assist others having similar challenges that she had. She can do it in prison. Personally, I would have liked her to have made a statement like that when she was sentenced so that the children's father, David, and his family wouldn't have been put in a position of having to face her at ongoing parole hearings. Susan Smith committed a crime that goes beyond the bounds of evil. There is absolutely no mental health condition that could possibly offset the unspeakable harm she caused her precious children. NONE! To THIS DAY, I think of those 2 beautiful children suffocating to death while in their seatbelts not knowing "what hit them" and SOB! I remember that case SO WELL and never could understand why she didn't receive the death penalty. If there was ever a "death penalty case" that was it!! However, I accept that the jury did what they did and just hope she never sees the light of day beyond the prison walls again!

If there was even that much money left...who knows what his balance sheet contained because regardless of how "functional" he appeared IN SPITE OF HIS VARIOUS DRUG, AND OTHER ADDICTIONS, my belief is that he was escalating his risky behaviors and, Heaven only knows who he was associating with and how much he owed various people at the time of his death. Anyhow, the ex-wife mentioned a "boyfriend" and her "working" so my belief is she not as financially "set" as would have been the case if Bob's circumstances were different than they actually were. The kids, also, will need ongoing and continuing therapy to deal with the issues left to them by their father, so there's that....

Agreed! The point I made upthread that he would have CONSCIOUSLY practiced such a risky lifestyle jeopardizing the safety and security of his 2 children is confirmed by your comment. There was another poster who pointed out that Bob's estate was VERY PALTRY...maybe $10 million that, after various disbursements involved with his death, is very measly in view of the HUGE proceeds he received through the years for his tech inventions. Yes, I agree with you. There are many unanswered questions regarding Bob.

Bob WASN'T a MARRIED MAN...He was divorced.

I think juries have a hard time deciding how much weight to give to a defendant charged with murder who is a drug addict. I noted that Nima hired what I presume to be a very high-priced lawyer from Miami (the $20,000 gold Rolex watch was a marker in my drawing that conclusion) so, on that basis, the lawyer did his job in getting his client a 2nd degree verdict. I understand that the sister was married (open marriage) to a wealthy plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills. However, I was wondering where the family's wealth originated as they were all living a very upscale lifestyle.

I think the jury got the verdict right. The thing that disturbed me about the episode, however, is the attempt by many being interviewed (like his brother) to minimize (almost condone) Bob Lee's "lifestyle" and the level of RISKY BEHAVIORS practiced by him AND his associates (all of whom had social status and a lot of $$$). The level of drug use among all the players make it IMPOSSIBLE (in my mind) to determine exactly what happened and/or why because everyone was so impaired. I would agree that Nima killed Bob for whatever reason, but, although it's NEVER OK TO BLAME A VICTIM OF CRIME, I would say that Bob Lee's CHOICE of "lifestyle" made his eventual demise more likely. For such a "genius" to not understand and/or concede that if anything within his control could cause his death, the DEVASTATING AFFECT of such a gruesome, traumatic event on his CHILDREN (FAMILY) would be LIFE ALTERING, is problematic.

On another note, does anyone know if Matt and Caryn when Matt and Caryn plan to be married and whether the big house Matt is building is finished? I know the show is "kaput" but I was just curious about Matt and Caryn.

I wondered the same thing because it's a common practice for the "true crime" shows to have "copycat" episodes of the same cases.