Susan Smith’s stepfather was Beverly C. Russell Jr., a prominent Union, South Carolina Republican and Christian Coalition figure who admitted under oath to sexually abusing Smith from the time she was a teenager and who continued a sexual relationship with her into adulthood, up to two months before she drowned her two sons in October 1994. He was never criminally charged, and he testified for the defense at her penalty phase, telling the jury he shared blame for the tragedy.
A Civic Leader in Union, South Carolina
Beverly Russell Jr. was not a background figure in his town. He chaired the Union County Republican Party, held leadership roles in the local Christian Coalition chapter and the South Carolina Citizens for Life, and had been active in Pat Robertson’s presidential campaign.1GoUpstate. Russell “Ashamed” of Actions2Chicago Tribune. Beyond Reason: Beverly Russell’s Mixed-Up Prayers The Federal Election Commission had been investigating his use of the tax-exempt Christian Coalition in connection with the Robertson campaign even before Smith’s crime became national news.3Los Angeles Times. Beverly Russell and the Susan Smith Case Locally he was known as a “church man” who led public prayer circles and presented himself as a moral authority.
He married Susan’s mother, Linda, becoming stepfather to Susan and later step-grandfather to her sons, Michael and Alex. After the boys were reported missing in October 1994, Russell joined public vigils and led prayers for their safe return.
The Abuse That Began When Susan Was 15
A sheriff’s department incident report dated March 14, 1988, and a Family Court document from March 25, 1988, record Russell’s admission that he molested his stepdaughter.1GoUpstate. Russell “Ashamed” of Actions Susan later told authorities the abuse began in the summer of 1987, when she was 15.4Washington Post. Woman Held in Sons’ Deaths Details Abuse That year she reported to her mother and a school counselor that Russell had fondled her breasts and placed her hand on his genitals.5Time. Sex, Betrayal and Murder
A high school guidance counselor alerted authorities.6Deseret News. Stepdad Said He Fondled Susan Smith One account identified the reporter as Susan’s algebra teacher, Phoebe Kaye Dillard.7Tampa Bay Times. Stepfather Shares Smith’s Guilt A Union County Department of Social Services caseworker investigated. Russell admitted to “fondling” his stepdaughter. A Family Court judge ordered Russell and Susan to live apart, and the family agreed to therapy.
No Criminal Charges Were Filed
Russell was never charged. Multiple sources confirm that no criminal case followed once the family agreed to counseling.8Chicago Tribune. Abusive Stepfather Testifies for Smith6Deseret News. Stepdad Said He Fondled Susan Smith He was required to move out for a period, received counseling, and eventually moved back into the family home.9Los Angeles Times. Smith’s Stepfather Testifies at Penalty Phase
Contact Resumed and Continued Through Her Marriage
The 1988 intervention did not end matters. Russell testified at trial that he resumed a sexual relationship with Smith in 1993 and that it continued after she married David Smith.10New York Times. Defending Smith, Stepfather Says He Also Bears Blame Under cross-examination he conceded that sexual contact occurred as recently as August 1994, two months before the drowning of Michael and Alex on October 25, 1994.11Deseret News. Stepfather Says He Shares Blame Because of “Sins” Russell said he had “misinterpreted” Smith’s need for affection as a desire for sex.12Spokesman-Review. Smith’s Stepfather Says He Shares Guilt in Boys’ Deaths
Prosecutor Tommy Pope pushed a different characterization of the adult encounters. He asked Russell on the stand whether he “made a choice” to have sex with Smith and whether she also had a choice. Russell answered yes to both.9Los Angeles Times. Smith’s Stepfather Testifies at Penalty Phase Pope later said it was “important to show that Susan Smith and Beverly Russell chose an adult relationship.”10New York Times. Defending Smith, Stepfather Says He Also Bears Blame
How the Abuse Became Public
Russell’s history was not widely known in Union until out-of-town reporters covering the murder case began digging into the 1988 records.3Los Angeles Times. Beverly Russell and the Susan Smith Case The DSS records were unsealed in February 1995 after two South Carolina newspapers sued for their release. Russell declined to appeal.6Deseret News. Stepdad Said He Fondled Susan Smith
The abuse also intersected with the immediate circumstances of the crime. Two days before the murders, Smith told her lover, Tom Findlay, that she was frightened because her husband, David, had threatened to reveal her sexual relationship with her stepfather.13Seattle Times. Smith Prosecution Rests After Former Lover Testifies
In April 1995, through his attorney Robert Guess, Russell issued a statement: “I am responsible for and ashamed of what happened,” adding that he was “finally getting the professional help that I need.”1GoUpstate. Russell “Ashamed” of Actions
Testimony at the Penalty Phase
Prosecutors sought the death penalty, and Smith’s defense, led by Judy Clarke and David Bruck, called Russell as a mitigation witness. On July 27, 1995, he took the stand and admitted molesting Smith when she was 15, described kissing her in a “passionate, grown-up way” even after counseling, and acknowledged that sexual contact had continued through her marriage and into August 1994.10New York Times. Defending Smith, Stepfather Says He Also Bears Blame
He then read aloud from a letter he had written to Smith on Father’s Day 1995, while she was in jail. “My heart breaks for what I’ve done to you, for your pain and your loss,” he read, weeping. “All you needed from me was the right kind of love. I had the responsibility to do the right thing, and I missed the mark.” He told her, “You don’t have all the guilt in this tragedy,” and said that had he known where his actions would lead, he “would have mustered the strength to behave according to my responsibility.”12Spokesman-Review. Smith’s Stepfather Says He Shares Guilt in Boys’ Deaths9Los Angeles Times. Smith’s Stepfather Testifies at Penalty Phase
Russell also asked the court to spare his stepdaughter’s life. “We can’t even get through the grieving process for Michael and Alex, we’re so focused on saving Susan’s life.”3Los Angeles Times. Beverly Russell and the Susan Smith Case The jury returned a sentence of life in prison, making Smith eligible for parole after 30 years.9Los Angeles Times. Smith’s Stepfather Testifies at Penalty Phase
Accountability Afterward
Despite admitting under oath to years of sexual abuse of a minor in his care, Russell was never criminally prosecuted. As of April 1995, he still served on the executive committee of the state Republican Party. The available record does not clarify whether he later resigned or was removed from his political and civic positions.2Chicago Tribune. Beyond Reason: Beverly Russell’s Mixed-Up Prayers
The Abuse and Smith’s 2024 Parole Hearing
Smith appeared before the South Carolina Board of Paroles and Pardons on November 20, 2024, for her first parole hearing. The board unanimously denied release, citing the seriousness of the crime and her institutional record. Russell’s history of abuse was not raised during that hearing.14WIS-TV. Convicted Murderer Susan Smith Denied Parole Under South Carolina law she is eligible for a new hearing every two years, with her next scheduled for November 19, 2026.15Fox News. Susan Smith Eligible for Parole Again