Pamela Smart Requests a Sentence Reduction--Again...

Yang, Allie. “Pamela Smart on teen lover who murdered husband nearly 3 decades ago: 'I loved him.'” ABC News, 9 January 2020, https://abcnews.go.com/US/pamela-smart-teen-lover-murdered-husband-decades-ago/story?id=67946265. Accessed 22 February 2023.

On February 14, 2023, Pamela Smart was heard before the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Smart and her attorney, Mark Sisti, argued that the New Hampshire Executive Council did not give enough time or consideration to Smart’s lengthy petition for commutation. Sisti claimed that the Council rejected her petition in less than three minutes. Smart’s appeal to the New Hampshire Supreme Court marks her fourth attempt at a sentence reduction. However, this information could easily fall on deaf ears for those who have never heard of this case before. Starting from the beginning, let’s dive into one of the most notable murder cases in New Hampshire, the Pamela Smart case.

The story begins when Pamela Smart landed a job as a Media Services Director at Winnacunnet High School. She was an instructor at the school’s Self-Awareness Program. This is where she met a boy by the name of William “Billy” Flynn. Smart would eventually seduce and begin a relationship with Flynn, who was only a sophomore at the time. According to Flynn’s testimony, Smart had repeatedly told him that she needed her husband killed, because if they divorced she would “lose everything”. Flynn claims she then went on to threaten him, saying if he didn’t kill her husband she would break up with him.

Manipulated by love, Flynn and three other men arrived at Pamela Smart’s condominium. Inside, Smart’s husband, Gregg Smart, sat unknowing of his impending doom. Flynn and another man by the name of Patrick Randall entered the home. Randall forced Gregg to the ground and held a knife to his neck. While Gregg was subdued, Flynn took a gun to Gregg’s head and shot him. On May 1st of 1990, Gregg Smart was shot dead in his home. This begins the circus of the Pamela Smart case.

In 1991, Smart was convicted of being an accomplice to second-degree murder. She received a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. This case made national news and quickly became a media circus. The Pamela Smart case was the first court trial to be on live television. Reporters flocked to Exeter, New Hampshire, to cover the landmark case.

Flynn and Randall were also convicted of second-degree murder. The other two men involved also faced prison time because they were the get-away drivers.

Throughout the case, Smart has maintained that she had no part in planning the murder, despite numerous testimonies against her. The state’s star witness, a teenage intern Smart confided in, provided a voice recording to the court. In the recording, Smart could be heard saying, “If you tell the (expletive) truth, you’ll send me to the slammer for the rest of my “expletive” life”.

After her conviction, Smart made a pardon hearing in 2005. This hearing was denied by the state of New Hampshire. In 2010, Smart continued making media appearances. In these interviews, she maintained that while she seduced Flynn, she played no part in the murder of Gregg Smart. However, Gregg Smart’s family claims that until she finally admits she played a role in the murder, they will fight to keep her in prison for life. In 2019, Smart petitioned to the Executive Council for a commutation hearing, which was denied again. Governor Chris Sununu spoke out about the decision, saying he “firmly agrees” with the Council’s decision.

In March of 2022, Smartpetitioned to the Council once more. In less than three minutes, the Council unanimously decided to reject opening the case. Laura Lombardi, Senior Assistant General, claims the case has “no protectable constitutional interest” and should not be heard before the court.

Sisti has asked the New Hampshire Supreme Court to hear Smart’s case under the grounds that the Council infringed on Smart’s constitutional right to a fair trial.

Smart continues to maintain her innocence in the murder of Gregg Smart. She continues to appeal because she believes she has been fully rehabilitated. Since her original conviction, Smart has gone back to school and gotten a second bachelor's and a doctorate. She tutors other inmates and has helped many get their GEDs, and she is also an ordained minister. Smart claims to have apologized to Gregg’s family, however, she refuses to admit that she had a role in his death. Smart stated in an interview, “If people want me to admit to parts of things that I did not do, that’s not going to happen. The only thing I have left in this world is my word”.

As of 2023, the other four men involved in the murder are all out of prison.

Pamela Smart, now 55 years old, has been in prison for over 32 years. She is currently the longest-serving inmate at Bedford Correctional Facility, where she has resided since 1993.

Works Cited

Downey, KC. “Pamela Smart case timeline.” WMUR, 14 February 2023, https://www.wmur.com/article/timeline-pamela-smart-murder-case/5135146. Accessed 20 February 2023.

McCormack, Kathy. “Could Pamela Smart Be Set Free? Lawyer Argues for New Hearing.” NBC Boston, 15 February 2023, https://www.necn.com/news/national-international/will-pamela-smart-be-set-free-lawyer-argues-for-new-hearing/2929128/. Accessed 20 February 2023.

“New Hampshire Supreme Court hears arguments in Pamela Smart case.” CBS News, 14 February 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/pamela-smart-case-new-hampshire-supreme-court/. Accessed 20 February 2023.

“NH Supreme Court to hold hearing on Pamela Smart request.” WMUR, 14 February 2023, https://www.wmur.com/article/nh-supreme-court-pamela-smart-hearing-21324/42861349. Accessed 20 February 2023.