Columbia, South Carolina – In 2024, there may be the potential for several notorious criminals in the United States to be released on parole after spending decades behind bars for heinous crimes. However, while their release is not guaranteed, they must demonstrate reformation in front of a parole board before being considered for freedom.
Among those seeking parole is Susan Smith, known as the “Murderer Mom.” In 1994, she let her car roll into a South Carolina lake with her two sons, Michael and Alex, still strapped into their car seats. Following their deaths, she fabricated a story about being carjacked by a Black man. Subsequently, authorities charged her with murdering her own sons, and she was convicted in 1995. Now 51, Smith will be eligible for parole in November 2024, but her ex-husband’s relatives plan to oppose her release.
Another notorious criminal seeking parole is “Son of Sam” Killer David Berkowitz, who, in the summer of 1976, struck fear in New York City with a series of shootings. After being convicted of multiple counts of murder, Berkowitz has been denied parole since 2002, despite becoming a born-again Christian while in prison. Now 70, he has a parole hearing scheduled for May 2024 and plans to seek his release.
Notably, “Manson Family Member Patricia Krenwinkel, who was involved in one of the most notorious murder sprees in American history in 1969, is also seeking parole for the 16th time. Despite a California governor’s block on her freedom in 2022, Krenwinkel seeks another opportunity for parole in May 2024, though it remains uncertain.
Similarly, the “Co-Ed Killer” Edmund Kemper, known for killing at least 10 people, including his own mother, has applied for parole numerous times and has been denied. However, Kemper, now 75, is eligible for parole in July 2024. While their release is not guaranteed, their path to potential freedom lies in front of a parole board that will determine whether they are reformed and suitable for release.