‘To Die For’ author asks governor for Pamela Smart’s release
Author Joyce Maynard once wrote a novel based on convicted New Hampshire killer Pamela Smart. Now she’s written a letter lobbying for Smart’s release from prison.
Smart, the inspiration for Maynard’s 1991 novel To Die For, was convicted of first-degree murder in her husband’s 1990 death. Prosecutors said she convinced her teenage lover to murder her husband, Gregg Smart. William Flynn—who was then 17 and having an affair with Smart—and two other teens were convicted of second-degree murder in the case.
During the trial, prosecutors said Smart convinced her then-teenage lover and some of his friends to murder Gregg. Smart is the only person involved in the murder who hasn’t been granted parole.
In a letter to Hassan, Maynard wrote:
“I write as a citizen, and as a woman who has followed the story of Pamela Smart in the years since her arrest and conviction—aware that each of the young men involved in that crime have either been released from prison or are likely to be soon—and to make the plea that Pamela Smart, too, be granted the chance to live what remains of her life free from the walls of the prison where she has now spent more than half her life.’’
“I do not know Pamela Smart,’’ Maynard’s letter continued. “The character I created on the pages of my novel came from my own imagination… to whatever extent Pamela Smart’s chances for a fair parole hearing may have been affected by my novel, I trust you will do what you can to rectify that situation.’’
In 1992, a New Hampshire superior court judge ruled that media attention surrounding the trial did not deny her justice, and her request for a supreme court appeal was denied later that year. With those appeal options exhausted, Smart’s sentence reduction would have to come from Governor Hassan.
A spokesman for Hassan’s office told Boston.com: “There is not an outstanding pardon or commutation petition for Pamela Smart. Governor Hassan does not believe jury verdicts should be overturned without clear evidence of a miscarriage of justice, and at this time, the Governor has not been presented any new information that would warrant consideration of a pardon even if such a petition existed.’’
Eleanor Pam, a spokeswoman for Smart, said in a statement: “For decades the public has confused the cold blooded and ruthless killer teacher in To Die For with Pamela Smart. For decades the media has deliberately and cynically reinforced that mistake through provocative headlines, captions, articles, films, books, graphics, photos and TV shows.’’
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