Pamela Smart was an adult at the time of the murder. She influenced young teenage males with sex and promises. The very children placed in her hands to help and educate. Shame on her for continuing her package of lies and pity cries. She is as guilty of the murder of her young husband as if she pulled the trigger and she is guilty of taking the lives of her teenaged lover and friends by her web of deception … she has no compassion … she is evil and she is a destroyer of many lives.

I feel that he should get released. He was 16 at the time of the crime and he is now a 33 year old man. We know that the things that we have done or even thought of at the tender age of 16 we would not do now that we are women/men. As far as Pam Smart give a break honey, If anyone is guilty is her she robed her husbands life and Flynn’s life and now she has to pay with hers.

Pamela Smart should don’t seem to understand her “crimes” yet. She is serving time for her part in her husbands slaying, and not for sexually exploiting an underage. She should be apologizing for taking Flynns life as well. What a shame!

AMEN!!! Dixiecharms. I couldn’t have said it better myself!

He cried on the stand and he’s still crying…….let him do the time…….

Pam Smart would like to place blame for the death of her husband (and, more importantly I think, her prison sentence) squarely on the shoulders of the kid she sexually and emotionally violated. Yet, had she not set this chain of events in motion by cheating on her husband and seducing a child, her husband would likely be alive today (not that they would still be married). Pam Smart is a sex offender with many of the classic characteristics: inability to distinguish between herself as an adult and her victim as child, lack of remorse, failure to accept responsibility for her actions and a distorted view of reality. Both Greg Smart and Billy Flynn are victims of Pam Smart. She needs serious help and deserves to be where she is. As for Billy Flynn, he was a teenager under Pam Smart’s influence at the time of his crime and has now spent more years of his life in prison than out. Given the circumstances of his crime as well as the many, many positives he has done (and supporters he has gathered through his actions) since then, he should be allowed to prove himself back in society.

Their is absolutely no doubt in anyone’s mind that Pam Smart is a cold and calculating individual.

However, regarding her release and that of Billy Flynn should be left only to the presiding judge and ultimately William Smart, father of Greg Smart.

Personally, I have absolutely no sympathy whatsoever for these two perpetrators!

When will this woman stop ? She is acting like the tape recordings in her own voice in which she implicates herself do not even exist.

I think 17 years is a long enough sentence. He was only 16 at the time, and under the ’spell’ of an older, married woman.

Perhaps Pamela was an adult at the time of the murder, but she was still very young at the time. She is responsible, yes, but certainly no more responsible than the person who pulled the trigger (!). They are both probably very different than the people they were when they were much younger, as most of us are. If he gets his freedom, then she should too. This is just another example of our sexist society wanting to punish her more for being a “seductive” female. I say give them both another chance…

Is she serious?!! We’re actually supposed to consider her a ‘victim’ and feel sorry for her?!!

My God, don’t women take responsibility for their actions anymore in this country?

Pamela Smart is as guilty and in fact, guiltier, than her child lover as she held enormous influence over him. The fact that she is also a liar and master manipulator should surprise no one. Rot in hell Pamela, you took another human’s life.

Let her rot in jail for life - serves her right. What a pathetic human being.

Sitting in jail for 17 years has not given Pam Smart enough time to reflect on her sins. You can only laugh at her ridiculous statements and become quickly reminded that she’s a cold, evil self certered monster. But take comfort in the fact that she will rot in prison, alone with her crazy little thoughts.

I think Bill Flynn should be released. If ever a person is worthy of early release he is. He has shown so much remorse & has bettered his life in prison. Pam Smart on the other hand should NEVER be released. If it weren’t for her Greg Smart would be alive today!

Pamela is a bad person. She deserves to be in jail but not shot to do death. Somthing is wrong with the world i think people who do these things got hit in the head and stopped thinking right

Pamela Smart is still trying to manipulate public opinion just as she did when she maipulated Bill Flynn. We can only hope that she will serve the full term of her incarceration. Women like this should be locked up forever.

I couldn’t agree with dixiecharms more. Yes, Flynn did an absolutely horrible act. There is no excuse. But he was a shallow 15 year old swayed, blackmailed, cajoled, and manipulated by Smart. She deserves to rot in jail the rest of her life; this is HER murder. It’s time to try to salvage a little life for Flynn. He will never be at peace, but perhaps he can get pay some penance in the real world for the horrible crime he committed. At this point, Smith is just arguing to promote her own appeal. What an incredibly evil person she is.

Pam Smart continues to amaze me…portraying HERSELF as the victim! Gimme a break! She is as manipulative, self-centered and evil today as she was back then. Compare the demeanor and conduct of Billy Flynn and Pam Smart and tell me who do you think shows the appropriate amount of remorse for their past conduct? Pam Smart rightfully will never see the light of freedom as long as she lives. I do believe, however, that one day Billy Flynn should go free. But I don’t think that time is right just yet due to the reluctance of the Smart family. Deference must be given to their opinion. Important to note that the Smart family does seem agreeable to parole at a future date. I think they’re being extremely reasonable and compassionate. We’re talking about a kid that was manipulated to do something he otherwise wouldn’t have done. And that kid has now grown into a responsible, remorseful, productive adult who will be able to contribute to society in a positive manner once he is released. Can we EVER feel comfortable in saying the same thing about little Pammiekins?????

They both did the crimes, let them do their time in jail. No reduced time. If a tearfull “i’m sorry” gets time off, what about the poor guy begging for his life? Where’s his extra time off?

Metalman,

Pamela Smart is just one person. A deeply disturbed, homidical person at that. Why on earth, then, would you assume that her lack of remorse/responsibility is somehow reflective of the attitude/character of all women in this country?

Gregg Smart was on his knees and begging for his life when he was murdered. Bill Flynn showed NO mercy for him and should not receive any from the court. Twenty-eight years for such a vicious, senseless murder is a gift. He should have to serve EVERY SINGLE MINUTE of his sentence and the fact that he is even asking for early release tells me a lot about his character. I also find it disturbing that a single judge has the power to reduce a violent murder’s sentence. I also read that Pamela Smart was trying to get her sentence reduced as well. Sick!

How many killers suddenly get religion and become perfect little angels once they get behind bars. And the good actors can count on conning a certain number of dogood prisoner activists to back them up. This kid fits the pattern. Whether he can charm the judge remains to be seen.

I dont think either of them should ever get out.

Well how about we use this formula
He was given a life sentence at the age of 16 yrs
He has served 17 yrs
That is greater than his whiole life at the time of the crime so he has served a life sentence ?

Bill Flynn new right from wrong at 16. he should server the full 28 years.
he’s lucky he only got that. when will we start blaming others for our own actions.

he knew what he was doing…. 28 years…

Flynn should remain in jail for as long as his victim remains dead.
I’d be willing to bet none of you bleeding hearts who portray Flynn as some kind of victim has ever had a loved one killed in such a heinous manner.

I wonder why nobody is discussing the person who is dead. Life should mean life. He knew perfectly well what he decided to do even at age 16.

Pamela Smart is no victim, she is the reason so many lives have been shattered. Yes, Billy Flynn was a young, impressionable kid, but he is guilty of pulling the trigger that ended Greg Smart’s life. Greg begged and pleaded for his attacker to show mercy. Billy Flynn ignored these pleas and chose to pull the trigger. Good for him if he has used his time in prison for good use- education, rehabilitation, volunteer projects, etc. Too bad more prisoners don’t take advantage of this time. However, he was sentenced to 28 years to life and I believe he should stay incarcerated at least until his parole hearing in ten years. Once he has served his minimum time, and if Greg Smart’s family approves, then release him. But I don’t believe he should be let out even before he has served the minimum sentence. Coerced or not, he chose to take an innocent life.

I’m sorry but at 16 you know right from wrong. What about the victim? He begged for his life and was given no mercy. Why should we feel sorry for a murder? I’m sorry he knew what he did was wrong and needs to serve the time. What if it were your brother? He didn’t show remorse when he was trying to cover up the crime. He’s lucky he’s not spending the rest of his life in jail. When I was 16 I sure wasn’t smoking pot a plotting a murder. He’s just sorry he got caught.

It is not because Pam Smart is a woman that we feel she is more at fault for this heinous crime or that she should stay in prison forever and let Flynn out. There are many reasons non if them because she is a woman!! Stop bringing sexisum in this! I am a woman but can see clearly!!! One of the biggest reasons is he has
admitted he did it and seems to feel remorse. She has not on both! Which one is more dangerous to society do you think?????

Metalman….you sound like a bitter person. Don’t lump all the women of this country into the same group as this lowlife loser. That would be like me saying that all men are losers after reading your email wondering why women of this country don’t take responsibility for their actions. I think you need to back down on that comment.
As for these two…let em rot in jail. As they say, don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.

If you’ve read the book on this case you can realize that Pam Smart controlled everything. You found a young teenager that would do her “bidding” by promising him sex in exchange for the murder of her husband. She told Bill Flynn that if he really loved her and wanted to be with her he would kill her husband. She told Flynn that Greg beat her. She also told Flynn that this was the only way out for her and being a young impressionable teenager he felt that he was doing the right thing. Bill Flynn has shown remorse and sorrow for his part in the murder of Greg Smart and has paid a “huge” price. If he should get released early he still has to live with the fact of his crime. He will also have to answer to a parole officer. Pam Smart on the other hand shows no remorse and believes she is totally innocent this is matter. She needs to stay where she is. Rest assured she will answer one day for her sins. Rot in hell Pam.

If I were the parent of Greg Smart, I would not think that 17 years was a long enough prison term for killing my child.

Pamela Smart is in a dream world… Her own ! This young man is trying to better his life. First step at least he admitted what he did. She never will.
As someone with no close ties to these people I think he should be released. But i’m afraid if I was his parent, family member or friend. I will not be so willing to let him off early.

Pamela needs to sit in jail and ROT!! She should have to watch a movie everyday all day of her husband at happier times. She should have to hear his family cry over and over in her cell. I have no feelings for her selfish ways. As for Flynn, I think he was just amazed as a kid to have this older women want him. Think back to when we all were that age. We all have a teacher we thought was hot or cute. SHE SHOULD ROT!!!!

Both need to serve out their sentences.
While it’s nice that Billy Flynn has been doing community service, he still is having opportunities that the man whom he killed will never have. I also have concern about his teen stepdaughter should he be released while she’s still in the home of the woman whom he married while in prison.

I think that if he’s truly remorseful, he’d gladly serve his time because he knows that he is never can make reparation for the life that he took.

Hey Pam Smart, what a drama queen your are. Do you actually believe people are so gullible that they would believe your pathetic patter?????
Flynn didn’t end your life. You did that all by yourself and what a fine job you’ve done.

I once had pity for Pamela Smart thinking she was young and foolish and should eventually get out of prison. No longer. The woman has obviously not matured one bit and still has no real conception of what she has done - not just to her husband, but to the young teenagers who once looked up to and admired her. Bill Flynn, I hope will get out of prison while he is still young enough to have an adult life. Nothing can bring Greg Smart back, but perhaps even he could have forgiveness for the man who pulled the trigger if he knew how manipulative and even evil his wife was.

If letting Billy Flynn out of prison would really eat at Pam Smarts thoughts while sitting in her cell. I say let him out, If only to let her live the rest of her life angry about it. Knowing he is free may just dig at her soul every day and thats what she needs!!!

I can’t believe this woman, who was an adult at the time, thinks she is going to fool anyone with her twisting of things.

SHE was the manipulative adult.
SHE caused a life to be taken.
SHE robbed a teenager of the best years of his life for her guilty pleasures.
SHE molested a child.

WHO needs to stay in jail….?

“Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time” First, lets not lose sight of the fact that Greg Smart is, and will remain dead. All the crying in the world will never change that. His family was robbed and cheated by a manupulative and evil person.Bill Flynn must share responsibilty for his role, cajoled or not. Secondly remember that the only person to receive the death penalty in this case was young Greg Smart. If the others ( Pam and Flynn) had received tha same sentence then, we would not be having this conversation. Pam Smart is where she belongs, and so is Bill Flynn. May they both remain in prison for the full extent of their respective sentences. God Bless the parents and family of Greg Smart.

When that horrific crime happened back on 1990 I believed then and still believe that Pam Smart was guilty of causing the whole thing. Billy Flynn was a very young schoolkid with a big crush on his teacher and she used sex to get him and his friends to murder her young husband in cold blood and to this day it still makes me sick to think about it! I think he has served his time and he should be let out to try to get his life going, he deserves to live and she deserves to rot in jail forever!!!!!!!!!!

As a teenager living in NH during this “sensational” trial (hey, not alot happens in NH!), I remember being riveted to the television during this case.

The tape recordings did her in…but “Valen” the dog was not traumatized-they put her in the basement!

Anyway-a horrific crime-lives affected all the way around. The Smart family should have the final say in whether William Flynn ever gets out of prison-they live with the grief everyday.

Pamela Smart will never get out.

Years ago, people were actually buying in to Pamela’s sad pathetic story.
Doesn’t seem like they are listening to her now!
Thank God

I believe Flynn ! He is remorsefull and he has to live with that the rest of his life. That’s a hell of a sentence right there . Give the guy a break his hormones were running wild because of Pamala, who should stay where she is.She can have a woman instead of a man,

I do not think he should be released from jail, murder is murder and at 16 you know what you are doing. However the whole legal system has me thinking a lot lately. I was reading in the news yesterday that, the kid from jonesborro, arkansas who shot and killed five people in his middle school was released from jail when he was 21 after 7 yrs and guess what he is back in jail now. When you kill someone, unless its self defense you know what you are doing and you should have to pay he should be required to fulfill his 28 year-life sentence if he has made that much of a change in jail then he will get paroled on the 28th year. I just don’t understand the kid from Arkansas killed five people at a school that takes deliberate place and most important shows cruel intentions. Both were minors the penalties should not be that much of a difference

He murdered someone and should be man enough to fill his debt to society. So he grew in prison…good for him…that does not mean he should be released. I am sure he wants to move on with his life instead of being in prison and I am sure the man he murdered would rather have been able to do the same. People saying he should be released should honestly think about that as well as put themselves in the position of the the victims family. He is a murderer who kept his nose clean in prison which is what he is expected to do…that does not earn him a ticket out.

wow, to say he took her life with the testimony, that just shows what a me me me person she is. If my husband were to die, that would be taking my life, and from the title of the article that’s what I expected her to say, but no, she can’t even pretend to care about someone else.

By the way…this case inspired the novel and movie “To Die For”…

He was hardly a child when he murdered that man in cold blood! There are courts that make kids his age pay the full penalty for vehicular manslaughter and they don’t get parole, but he kills his older lover’s innocent husband and they’re thinking of letting him get out?? Where is the justice? If kids are old enough to get behind the wheel, kill someone BY ACCIDENT, and go to jail for as long as he has, and STAY in jail, then by God, that man should PAY. And life after jail isn’t bad. They have programs that help former convicts get jobs, get homes, they don’t just shove them out the door. Even at over 40, he’ll be fine, more than he deserves for taking a life.
As for Pamela Smart, may she rot in her cell. She’s too full of crap. “Oh I didn’t tell him to do it.” “Oh, don’t let him out, he murdered me too.” Screw that. Do your time, shut your trap, and be grateful you didn’t get the death penalty.

A manipulative woman trusted with minors, uses sex and lies to control a young student, to orchestrate the murder of her husband. How could this have possibly avoided becoming several novels and movies? Seventeen years later she tries to blame her former student and lover, in the hopes of being released. Perhaps this is the beginning of a sequel? I wonder who she wants to manipulate and kill this time?

I’m actually surprised at myself because I have change my position on whether or not Bill Flynn should be granted an early release. When I first heard that he was going to petition for the release, my gut reaction what - no way - he needs to serve his entire sentence, But then I refreshed myself with some of the facts of the case, by easily reading the many sources available on the internet, and I now remember that although this was a horrendous, unforgiveable crime, he was a child. Some would argue that many 16 year old boys/men are already mature and hence should be held accountable for their actions as an adult. But, I’m influenced by this story to believe this was not the case for Bill Flynn. He was not a man, making adult decisions, he was a child reveling in the attention and the exciting sexually charged emotions that were brought out in him by the pedophile - Pam Smart. I laugh with disgust whenever I read or watch any media coverage of her. She had potential and promise of a wondeful life, and she threw it all away over greed and lust, The courts have no business even entertaining her comments with regard to the dispensation of sentences for any of the children whom she victimized by enticing them into this lurid scheme, Don’t get me wrong - they are not blameless, however - if ever there were true efforts at rehabilitation - I would hope that these children (now adults) are the ones whom it works for,. Just my two cents.

Oh boo-hoo. Are you kidding me?

Pam Smart is guilty of destroying a vulnerable teen’s life and cause of her husband’s murder. She deserves life in prison for her actions.
Bill Flynn deserves a chance at life. I agree he was bewitched by a predator. He’s served 17yrs, thats enough.

She still isnt taking responsablity for her own life. She has always seen herslelf as a teen, which is what got her into this mess!

Their is one other thing to be factored in; was Greg Smart a forgiving man, and would he want this young man to be forgiven? The Judge should take it into consideration. It’s the enlightened thing to do!

I am not sure if he should be released or not but we sure need to change our justice system. Don’t they consider the way a person can be manipulated due to their feelings for others. Here is a 16 yr old boy who probably had his first intimate experience with this teacher and felt devotion to her when he decided to take the life of her husband…. but then there are children like Mitchell Johnson who make the decision to steal fire arms from a parent and shoot up a school, killing more than one person, and only being sentenced till they are 21 yrs old. And Mitchell Johnson was set free without a record….what kind of justice is that??? One person is taken advantage of by an adult who should know right from wrong…and the other person takes advange of them.

roach you just do not get it. What about Greg Smart? Does he not have the same rights to live in society without having to worry about people like flynn who shot him with no mercy? Sorry but at 16, you know between right and wrong. Quit trying to act like this guys parents did not raise him right. He chose to go out with that woman, I dont even want to say her name. Greg’s family deserves to know that this guy is serving this sentence in full. Infact he is not serving enough time.
He took a life, you cannot take that back. Since he was a minor than no death penalty but he deserves real life in prison like the sentence he left Greg’s family with. They will never have their son back.

If we had a stronger death penalty, this wouldn’t even be a discussion today. They conspired to take a life, and that can’t be returned: neither should theirs.

Pam Smart was the only one of the group to have the motive to kill her husband..Billy Flynn was an impressionable young man who was madly in love with her. She tried to profit from her husband’s death.
I think he ought to be given a break if only because he probably has changed into a better person, while she’s still the same. She’s still guilty and never acknowledges the fact that she was the person who ordered this-and the others were obeying her.
Pam will stay in prison because that’s where she belongs. Billy Flynn could possibly be freed and actually do something constructive with his life.
Remember, this was before the laws were changed to reflect that sexual abuse of teenagers is an actual crime-and Pam Smart should have been tried for that, as well.

Pamela Smart is true evil, but do not forgive the acts of Flynn. Yes, he was only 16, but that does not excuse him of his crime. At 16 society determines that we are mature enough to operate a vehicle on a public road. In many societies the age of 16 is already well past the coming of age for a man. What Flynn is doing is playing into the hearts and minds of people, and, judging from the responses here, quite successful at it. If he was truly remorseful, he should accept his current punishment. We all do things we regret at a later age, and most of them are forgivable, but cold-blooded murder in my opinion is not.

Honestly, I feel his punishment was quite mild, considering he did take the life of another, rather coldly I might add, who pleaded for his life before Flynn took it. If Flynn could not distinguish right from wrong at the age of 16, something I believe I grasped at a far younger age, then Flynn should continue his maturation until the parole board sees fit to release him. Perhaps his intelligence has matured enough in prison amongst convicts to convince everyone here that he was the victim. Call me cold but I don’t buy it. I will not be surprised if people here find my thoughts in this matter more cold and offensive than the fact that Flynn, the heartless executioner, is pleading for an act of mercy he would not give to Gregory Smart.

He should be set free and Pamela should remain behind bars if it was not for her he would not be in this trouble. We all no as children peer pressure and lust played a big role in some of the stupid mistakes we made. He made his mistake paid for it and hopefully learned not to trust evil women. He should be given another chance at freedom and may GOD bless him.

Everyone deserves a second chance . He was manipulated by a vicious teacher who used sex to get him to murder her husband. She pulled the trigger psychologically. Wonder if a divorce entered her mind or did she want the insurance money too?

While I totally agree that Mrs Smart had a great deal to do with the decision Mr. Flynn made all those years ago; I also have to draw attention to the fact that 16 is not 6. At 16 years old, there is no way any woman could have talked me into murdering someone. Peer pressure is one thing but, come on. How many people out there can look back on being a 16 year old and imagine, by any stretch of the imagination doing what he did? This is not stealing alcohol from Daddy’s cabinet and replacing it with water, people!!! We develop our sense of right, wrong and consequences long before the age of 16. As far as whether he is rehabilitated…we can sit here and armchair quarterback all day; there are professionals who should address that fact and, yes, I believe that after 17 years of his life; it should at least be looked into.

At 16, unless you are a complete idiot, you know murder is morally wrong, against the law, and the end of a human life. I am glad Bill Flynn is remorseful, however, he got his break when he testified against Pamela. 28 years IS your lighter sentence, Bill, you should stay where you are for the next decade. As for Pamela, is this broad for real? She is a sociopath that uses transference to try to manipulate public opinion in her favor. She should have been executed. She is of no use to society.

Pam Smart is, in fact, more at guilt that the boys she seduced and ultimately used to get her way. Her sociopathic personality means she will never admit her role in this horror and may in the future harm others to get what she wants. Bill Flynn is a victim just as the husband was….all used and abused by Pam Smart. She should never get out of jail to enjoy freedom. Bill Flynn on the other hand, deserves a chance to have some joy and relieve. After all, he was the child, he was a victim too!

She was as cold as ice during the trial and it seems obvious that 17 years of prison time has not thawed out Ms.Smart. I agree with other comments that Bill was her victim too. He is paying for his crime and this man has made a big effort to be a better person and his remorse for what he did is genuine. This lady is a murderer, child abuser, and devious human being who should never be released from jail.

I do believe that this man should be let free. He was 16 at the time and not only he but all of us can look back at our lives around that age and remember our own awkward moments and remember things we did that we are not proud of. Yes he took another human beings life. Yes that is wronge and yes he should “pay” for the crime. But to what extent. He was under a heavy influence at the time. (A child molester). He has proven that he is very remorceful and that he would be a good man to have back into society. I hope the Smart family has healed and found some room in their hearts for forgiveness. As of Pamela Smart she needs to remember who started this. Why not let him out and make room for other killers, molesters, rapist.

The core of this issue is whether you believe that prison is for punishment or rehabilitation. This man appears to be rehabilitated. I don’t think there is any chance he will be a danger to society. He was very young and malliable when he committed this crime, and has really worked hard to better himself.

I understand that his victim’s family is upset, but I don’t understand how enforcing the letter of the law on the sentence will benefit them. Their son will be just as dead ten years from now.

If justice is to be tempered with mercy, I would think this is a case that cries out for mercy.

Regarding metalman’s comment “don’t women take responsibility for their own actions anymore in this country?” - are you for real?

To categorize the whole female race because of one sick manipulator is unfair to all the women (AND men as far as that goes) who are responsible for their actions.

I suppose you’ve been burned by one too many females and that’s your way of sticking it to us.

You go metalman - whatever makes you feel better.

In response to MetalMan’s post, which included the following:

“My God, don’t women take responsibility for their actions anymore in this country?”

Excuse me, sir, but I believe the problem with the world today is that NO ONE takes accountability for their actions anymore, regardless of sex or gender. As a commuter who works in NYC, I can assure you that I meet many men daily who aren’t so kind to hold a door for the person behind them, or even offer their seat on a packed train for a pregnant woman who’s about to pop.

Perhaps if society recognized that generosity and humanity are all-encompassing facets of life, then maybe we could make progress. How dare you insinuate that only women are the only persons to lack manners?

I agree that Pamela Smart is a ninny who deserves exactly what was handed down to her, but to blindly classify all women as unapologetic, ill-mannered heathens is a gross disservice to the point you are trying to make. It also makes you look like a narrow-minded opressive pig.

The next time you see a man whistle at a woman, or hear of a man hiding the wife he murdered in his freezer, or hear of a man who killed the woman he raped and buried her in a shallow firepit in his backyard (along with her unborn, full-term baby), YOU ask YOURSELF how you could possibly bemoan women as the only parties responsible for the decline in accountability in society today.

I think Bill Flynn desvers another change at life, he has admitted his quilt from the start, whereas Pamela Smart has denided any involment in her husband murd. Bill has made strives to improve himself & I believe he has succed. Pamela has done nothing to try and improve herself. So I say give Bill a chance it appears that he has a lot of support and that is something that most people don’t get when they are getting out of prison and that is why they wind up back in prison. As for Pamela Smart let her rot in prison.

What an extremely well-written and informative blog. I wish more were like this. Concise, to the point, no frills. Correspondant Beth Karas is on the mark! The court should not and cannot give any consideration to Smart’s proclamation of innocence. Like the old saying goes, you never meet a guilty person in prison.

If you want to let your heart bleed, let it bleed for the victims. This was murder. There should be no time off for good behavior. You can’t make up for death.
At 16, I knew murder was wrong, that’s why I didn’t kill anyone, although, there were plenty of people I would’ve liked to. That’s just part of growing up, getting picked on, and dealing with hormones. But no matter how you feel, you still know murder is wrong. You should know this by the time you’re five years old. Anyone that feels he should be let out early for coughing up a few tears in front of a judge probably hasn’t had a child, spouse, or parent murdered. There is lots of injustice in the world. Punishing a criminal is not part of it.

At 14, I didn’t think much of the party line that she was this great manipulator, and I still don’t. None of these people are such great prizes. If we accept the trial’s outcome as the right one, then she was a 22-year-old selfish, conniving, moron. He was a 16-year-old selfish, conniving moron. He actually shot someone and ended their life because she threatened to leave him if he didn’t. That’s a choice. They both made terrible choices and someone ended up dying.

Maybe he has reformed himself, I’m sure he’ll always be weighed down by guilt. But I’m fine with the judge’s decision. Those who commented before had it right - he already got his reduced sentence, and he did it by pointing the finger at someone else and making a deal. And come on now, people, really? At 16 he didn’t know better and it’s all her fault?