The chronology of the Pamela Smart case involving her husband's murder
In 1990, when Pamela Smart was only 22 years old, she was a media director at a high school. It was during this time that she initiated an affair with 15-year-old Billy Flynn. The prosecution claimed that Pamela then convinced Flynn and two other teenagers, Patrick Randall and Vance Lattime Jr., to participate in a murder plot against Pamela's husband, Gregg Smart. Flynn confessed to taking part in the murder, as well as his two accomplices, and all three worked out plea bargains.
Pamela Smart's trial made headlines worldwide due to its unexpected blend of sex, infidelity, and the unique bond between an adult and a minor. Over two decades later, in 2014, Smart finally took responsibility for her husband's murder for the first time while she is serving a life sentence in prison.
The text outlines a timeline of events related to the Pamela Smart murder conspiracy, ensuing legal proceedings, and convictions.
The murder incident
On May 1, 1990, Flynn stated that he and his friend ambushed Gregg Smart, who was Pamela's husband, as he arrived home to his condo in Derry, New Hampshire. Gregg was on his knees, pleading for his life, according to prosecution claims. Flynn fired a shot into Gregg's head in a hallway where Pamela eventually found her husband's body. The scene was made to resemble a break-in.
Inspired by the Pamela Smart case, Joyce Maynard penned the 1992 novel "To Die For," which later became a 1995 film starring Nicole Kidman and Joaquin Phoenix.
August 1, 1990: Pamela Smart was arrested three months after the shooting. Her mother, Linda Wojas, stated she was not informed about her daughter being a suspect at the time; this transpired during a 1991 interview on Larry King's show on CNN.
An engrossing trial
On January 28, 1991, Flynn, Randall, and Lattime all plead guilty to the murder of Gregory Smart. They were initially facing charges for first-degree murder, but they received lighter sentences for testifying against Smart in exchange. Raymond Fowler was arrested on the same day, with charges stemming from a prior attempt on Gregg Smart's life before the actual murder.
March 4, 1991: Oral arguments began in Pamela Smart's murder conspiracy trial at the Rockingham County Superior Court in Exeter, New Hampshire. This trial focused on the suspicion of Pamela plotting her husband's murder, before their first wedding anniversary.
Prosecutors presented the argument that Smart was attempting to get her hands on her husband's $140,000 life insurance policy. Additionally, they alleged that Smart seduced Billy Flynn and threatened to cease their sexual relationship unless he murdered her husband.
The trial drew immense attention, with people lining up and needing tickets to enter the courtroom. Those unable to obtain tickets watched from TV monitors in another room, and the media was flooded with journalists and cameramen.
Convictions
On March 22, 1991, Pamela Smart was found guilty of being an accomplice to first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and tampering with a witness. Her sentence was life in prison without the possibility of parole.
August 20, 1992: Flynn was given a sentence of 28 years to life in prison as part of his plea deal, this based on second-degree murder charges, reported by CNN affiliate WMUR. Flynn sobbed on the witness stand during Smart's trial, explaining that he was reluctant to execute her plan and was still in love with her.
August 23, 1992: Randall, one of the accomplices, was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison with 12 years of the minimum sentence deferred for second-degree murder, according to WMUR. His sentence was further reduced later on.
The driver for the getaway car, Lattime, received a sentence of 18 years to life in prison as part of his plea deal, reported by WMUR. Fowler, who was a passenger in the car, was given a sentence of 15 to 30 years in prison.
Appeals
July 2005: The Executive Council declined Smart's request for a pardon hearing, as reported by WMUR.
May 15, 2019: The Executive Council made the decision to deny Smart a commutation hearing, as reported by WMUR. This decision was concurred with by New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu.
March 23, 2022: In a final attempt, Smart requested a third hearing but was rejected by the Executive Council. The case was subsequently dismissed by the state Supreme Court.
Partial freedom
March 12, 2015: After spending 25 years in prison, Flynn was granted parole, which coincided with his 41st birthday, according to WMUR.
Flynn and Randall were both released on parole on June 4, 2015, as reported by WMUR. Fowler and Lattime were paroled a year earlier.
Accepting responsibility
In 2014, Smart accepted culpability for her husband's murder while still in prison, over 23 years after the event. The text provides a timeline of events concerning the Pamela Smart murder conspiracy, legal proceedings, and prisoners' subsequent release.
On June 11, 2024, Smart finally took ownership of her husband's death in a recorded statement. This admission occurred during her recent appeal for a sentence reduction. In her appeal, Smart requested a commutation hearing from Governor Sununu and the state's Executive Council since she has exhausted all other legal avenues.
She is currently serving a life sentence at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, located in Westchester County, New York.
Hayley Wilson and Gary Tuchman from CNN also contributed to this report.
Link: https://www.cnn.com/
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Us, as a collective, were intrigued by the intricate details of Pamela Smart's trial due to its blend of unexpected elements.In 1991, the prosecution argued that Pamela Smart had manipulated us, her husband's allies, into participating in a murder plot.
