Posted on 03/12/2015 11:35:46 AM PDT by GIdget2004
The triggerman in the Pamela Smart murder trial was granted parole Thursday, nearly 25 years after he killed his school instructor's husband and launched a global spectacle packed with lurid details of sex and manipulation.
William Flynn was 16-year-old "Billy" in 1990 when he and three teenage friends carried out what prosecutors said was Pamela Smart's plot to murder Gregg Smart. Flynn pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 28 years to life in prison, minus time served before trial.
The trial was a media circus and one of the first high-profile cases about a sexual affair between an instructor and student. It inspired the Joyce Maynard novel "To Die For," which in turn was made into a movie starring Nicole Kidman.
"It's your birthday," said Donna Sytek, chairwoman of the three-person state board. "We're granting you the privilege of parole."
The board granted Flynn parole on his first attempt Thursday, his 41st birthday. He has been in a Maine prison and participated in the hearing by telephone, telling the board that he'd always be haunted by the killing.
"I will always feel terrible about what happened 25 years ago," he said. "Parole will not change that."
Pamela Smart, who was 22 when her husband was killed, was convicted of being an accomplice to first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole. She admitted seducing the boy but said she didn't plan her husband's murder.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I actually remember when that happened.
Gosh, am I old.
Can’t believe it’s been 25 years. He was a naive young boy who had the misfortune of meeting a sociopath. She caused her husband’s death and ruined a lot of lives.
I was thinking the exact same thing! :(
No kidding.
Always felt that Nicole Kidman’s character in the movie had a much more appropriate fate ...
“I actually remember when that happened.
Gosh, am I old.”
—
My kids were in their 20s when this happened.
You think you’re old ???
:-)
.
“What happened”? What about, “what I did”?
I agree. What he did was clearly wrong, but he was manipulated by an evil woman. He was way over his head in this thing. I believe the 25 years he served is appropriate particularly since he has expressed remorse for what happened. So I am fine with his being paroled.
Psmela Smart, on the other hand, can rot.
Cop-killer’s sister writes to board, asks that he not be paroled (NM)
[”I will always feel terrible about what happened 25 years ago,”]
Aw, gee, that makes it all better /s
He was on last night. Got his GED and other education. Married and has a step daughter. Model inmate. Wish him much happiness
I wish I could. Less time ahead of me for the coming decline of the US to live through, unless King Jesus returns first.
He’s still a murderer....
Good now someone can get to him.
Why good would the freed killer be to this society? Wait till he sees what has happened to our country he will wish for a jail cell.
I voted for Eisenhower. My first Presidential vote.
Dang...I remember when Truman was Prezzie.
Makes me want to go skating!
"And, by the way, are you free tonight?"
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