NH Executive Council Keeps Pamela Smart in Jail
Pamela Smart's apology and acceptance of responsibility for the death of her husband Gregory did not sway the Executive Council to commute her life sentence.
In a letter to the councilors, Smart, who is now 54, said that she is to blame for Gregory Smart's death in 1990 at the hands of Billy Flynn, a 15-year-old student she was having an affair with when she was a media aide at Winnicunnet High School.
"For many years, I blamed others for my incarceration because I was immature, selfish and proud. I refused to see my own role in Gregg's death," Smart wrote in her letter, according to WMUR which obtained a copy. "It took years, even decades, for me to accept responsibility, and I must carry that burden."
The council was not moved and rejected the commutation by a unanimous 5-0 vote.
"I am absolutely convinced there is no evidence or argument that rises to the level of granting a commutation," counselor Janet Stevens said during the hearing.
Stevens quoted from the state's response prepared by Associate Attorney General Jeffrey Strelzin and said "Greg Smart's loss of life and the impact on his family and friends far outweighs whatever adversity the petitioner has faced in prison. We must never forget about Greg.'"
In a statement to CBS Boston, Smart's spokeswoman Eleanor Pam said the denial was disappointing.
“Evidence presented in the petition was overwhelming, and any fair reading of it by fair minded persons would have resulted in a hearing.”
Smart can try again for a commutation in two years.
Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH