A cheating newlywed whose plot to kill her husband with a teenage lover became the subject of a Hollywood movie has made a new bid for freedom.
Pamela Smart, of New Hampshire, was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, being an accomplice to first-degree murder and witness tampering in March 1991 at the age of 22 over the death of her 24-year-old husband.
She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole but all the while has maintained she had nothing to do with plotting his murder. For the past two decades, she has lost all her legal appeals.
Ms Smart, 47, now hopes that a new documentary examining the media fervour at her trial – which she believes swayed the public and ultimately the jury’s decision – will convince New Hampshire authorities to allow her a parole hearing. Mail online article 20th January 2015, ‘Ice queen’ newlywed, who conspired to murder husband with teen lover and became subject of Nicole Kidman movie, hopes new documentary will prove her innocence’
The early ’90s were a confusing time for Billy Flynn. The 15-year-old fell head over heals for an older married woman. He thought she felt the same way. But if they wanted to be together they’d have to get rid of her husband first. This is the story of Pamela Smart. True Crime Recaps: The Husband Had to Go: Pamela Smart’s Final Solution, Youtube 17.15, 2023
There lying facing down in a pool of blood was her 24-year-old husband. He’d been shot in the back of the head execution style. The house was ransacked. ibid.
The captain felt the scene stunk to high heaven. ibid.
Pamela had an iron-clad alibi; she was at a school meeting all night. ibid.
She was more concerned about he dog than she was about catching her husband’s killer. ibid.
It is one of the most scandalous tales in American history. 24-year-old Gregory Smart is found murdered in his own home. An American Murder Mystery: Pamela Smart I, 2018
‘Bill Flynn was so obsessed and so lovestruck he might have done anything to be with Pamela Smart.’ ibid.
Pamela settles into the spotlight. ibid.
Detectives are still not convinced this is a burglary gone awry. ibid.
A 15-year-old co-worker has been talking about a woman trying to have her husband murdered. ibid.
Investigators zero in on the teens named by Welch. Police soon discover that Billy Flynn and Vance Lattime know Mrs Smart personally. ibid.
A teen informant sets a dangerous trap. The police make their move. The hugely anticipated trial turns into a media spectacle. An American Murder Mystery: Pamela Smart II
A credible tip leads them to three teens: Bill Flynn, Patrick Randall and JR Latimme … Investigators turn their attention to another teen: Cecelia Pierce. ibid.
‘I’m being held for a crime I didn’t commit.’ ibid. Smart
‘Most people don’t have that kind of life insurance on their husband.’ ibid. comment
The prosecution plays the shocking secret tape. But the defense argues their client is the victim of a conspiracy. An American Murder Mystery: Pamela Smart III
The question remains, Was justice served? ibid.
SMITH, BEVERLY LYNN murder: The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith TV -
Mom told me that Beverly had died and she had been shot in the back of the head. The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith I: The Catch, Barbara Brown, Amazon Prime 2022
Tonight a man is in custody accused of killing Beverly Lynn Smith back in 1974. ibid. news
This is a mystery that has endured for decades and has affected innumerable lives. ibid. Jeff Mitchell, crime reporter
In 1974 Al Smith lived across the street from Beverly. ibid. journalist
You took an innocent man and shredded him to a mere nothing. ibid. Al Smith
After Beverly and Doug got married, they moved to a little house in Raglan. The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith II: The Girl Next Door, sister
She was shot from behind in the back of the head. ibid. comment
Alan Smith: He’s the neighbour who essentially discovered this crime. ibid.
Doug Smith was well known as someone who sold marijuana. ibid.
Mark Kenny continued to be contacted by police as a person of interest until 2008. ibid. caption
In 1988 Doug Daigle was arrested for the murder of Beverly Lynn Smith but no formal charge was ultimately laid. He died in 2017. ibid.
Doug Smith was cleared by Durham Regional Police of any involvement in his wife’s murder. ibid.
Did this case get off on the wrong foot from the get go? Durham Police had just been formed and so when this murder happened, it was one of the first homicides that they were investigating. There are allegations later that they did a faulty job collecting evidence: notes were lost, photographs weren’t taken that should have been … ibid. journalist
The started right from scratch with a new team. ibid. sister
[Al Smith]: This is a fucking mystery. And hang on. It’s about to get rough. The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith III: Alibi
March 2008: With Linda’s new statements, Alan Smith is arrested for the murder of Beverly Lynn Smith. Linda is also arrested for obstruction of justice. ibid. caption
4 months after Alan Smith is arrested, he is released. ibid.
The police emotionally torturing Linda Smith for the sole purpose of getting a case against Al Smith. And no-one can assess the damage it did to Linda. ibid. lawyer
You’re going to tell him [undercover rozzer posing as Mr Big] anything in order for you to get out that door. I manufactured a story. The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith IV: The Release, Al to camera
Without the confessions, the Crown didn’t feel there was enough evidence to carry on. ibid. family