UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, July 12, 1995
3B
Smith able to stand trial despite mental instability
The Associated Press
UNION, S.C. Susan Smith is legally competent to stand trial on murder charges for drowning her two sons but will take her life at the first opportunity, a state expert said Monday.
Smith suffers from severe depression and an adjustment disorder that causes her to have an emotional reaction to stress, said Donald Morgan, a psychiatrist at the state Mental Health Department.
"If she got out of prison, she said she would take her life as rapidly as possible," Morgan said during her competency hearing.
He said Smith could stand trial on the two murder charges, but he recommended that she not be allowed to testify because she would ask for the death penalty if put on the stand.
"She feels she deserves punishment, and her desire would be not to continue living in prison," Morgan said.
Smith can stand trial because her illness has improved, but she also tried to hide her depression,
he said.
"It's easy to make a mistake thinking that she's better than what she really is," Morgan said. "She fantasizes about, being reunited with her children."
In addition, Smith has crying spells and nausea and takes antidepressants to combat intense feelings of hopelessness, sleepless and worthlessness, he said.
Smith showed no emotion during Morgan's hour of testimony. He was the prosecution's sole witness, and Smith's lawyers did not put any experts of their own on the stand.
Circuit Judge William Howard then adjourned the hearing for the day so he could decide whether Smith was competent and whether the trial could continue.
For nine days after her sons disappeared on Oct. 25, Smith stuck by a claim that a Black carjacker took them, prompting searches and prayer vigils and bringing a national media spotlight to the town of 10,000.
On Nov. 3, she confessed to drowning the boys by letting her car, with them inside, roll into
John D. Long Lake.
Last fall when Smith was arrested, an angry crowd pressed around the downtown courthouse, some shouting "baby killer!"
On Monday, only about 10 people quietly walked by the courthouse and others shopping in stores a block or so away. Neither side requested that the trial be moved out of Union.
While Smith has yet to enter a plea, her lawyer, David Bruck, has said his defense would be based on her mental state.
If Smith is found guilty but mentally ill, she could be sentenced to death.
A verdict of innocent by reason of insanity, which means she did not understand that what she was doing was wrong, would send her to a mental hospital. If she were later declared sane, she could be released.
Prosecutor Tommy Pope has said he believes Smith was sane when she killed her children.
Prosecutors plan to portray her as a manipulative woman who murdered her sons when they got in the way of a love affair.
928 Mass.
Downtown
913-832-8300
NEW BOOKS
Hurston Bukowski Rollins
Chomsky Allison Seuss
Research Winterson
Hooks Monette Paglia
Garcia Marquez
Lebowitz Coupland
Olsenwitz
A touch of Irish in downtown lawrence
NEW MAGAZINES
NEW BOOKS
NEW MAGAZINES
Maximum R&R Bkinii
Village Voice Girlfriends Vibe
Kinderberer
Option Source Bob
Skinnart Virtag
Thraher UTNE Reader
NEW HOURS
NEW CAFE
Espresso Cappuccino
Chesapeake Muffins
Latte Mocha Tea Italian
Soda Juice Cafe Miel Hot
Chocolate Soames lead Tea
NEW HOUSES
Monday-Thursday 10-9
Friday-Saturday 10-10
Sunday 12-6
0% Interest--No Payments for 90 days with qualified purchase
*Off the price that these premium quality Sera mattresses would sell for if the covers matched. Quantities Limited to stock on hand.
Open
Over 900 titles in stock LAMAR BIGG
1910 Haskell 841-7504
2 MOVIES FOR THE PRICE OF 1
(30 minutes)
910 N. 2nd St. 841-8903
NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFER
LIMIT ONE PER PERSON.
EXPIRES 7/31/95
Bring this coupon in for 50¢ off a Medium or Large Yogurt Cup
--expires 8/2/95
Louisiana Purchase
23rd & Louisiana
843-5500
50¢
Orchard Corners
15th & Kasold
749-0440
50¢
--expires 8/2/95
23rd & Louisiana (Behind Schlotzsky's) • 842-7822
Bike Tune-up
$19.95 REG.
$29.95
Not valid with sate bites or other offers
*expires 8/2/95*
---
12th & Oread (above Yello Sub)
---
Natural fiber Clothing • Natural Body Care