Case 352: Gregory Smart

Casefile True Crime

The Casefile True Crime podcast episode 'Case 352: Gregory Smart' explores the 1990 murder of Gregory Smart in Derry, New Hampshire, and the

Key takeaways

• Pamela Smart's calculated demeanor during police interviews raised suspicions despite her outward grief.
• The crime scene showed signs of two perpetrators—one more organized than the other—suggesting premeditation.

Main topics

• The murder of Gregory Smart
• Pamela Smart's trial and conviction

Notable quotes

"I had to acknowledge for the first time in my own mind and my own heart how responsible I was, because I had deflected blame all the time."

Conclusion

The case of Gregory Smart remains one of the most infamous true crime stories in American history,

Transcript preview

Speaker 1 (0:00) For early access and ad-free episodes, check out our Patreon, Apple Premium and Spotify subscription memberships. Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at any time you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. For suggested phone numbers for confidential support and for a more detailed list of content warnings, please see the show notes for this episode on your app or on our website. Speaker 1 (0:48) On the night of Tuesday May 1 1990, a group of family and friends gathered at a home on Misty Morning Drive in the town of Derry, New Hampshire. At around 10pm, as they broke out into a joyful rendition of Happy Birthday, their celebration was abruptly cut short by a blood-curdling scream. Fred Lombardi, the host of the party, rushed outside to see what was going on. Disturbances were rare on the quiet cul-de-sac, which was largely made up of condominiums occupied by young couples. As Fred stepped into the street, he almost collided with his 22-year-old neighbour, Pamela Smart. Pamela had been running away from the unit she rented with her 24-year-old husband, Gregory. What is it? What's the matter? What's happened? Fred asked. Pamela frantically replied, It's my husband. He's been killed. He's dead. As Fred began moving toward the smart residence, Pamela grabbed him and yelled, No, don't go in there. It wouldn't do any good. He's dead. I know it. Fred persisted, saying he wanted to help, but Pamela begged him not to. Please, she said, don't go in there. Just call the police. The first officer to arrive on scene observed Pamela Smart kneeling on the stoop of a neighbouring home, sobbing. Onlookers directed him to the Smart's unit. Inside, the foyer light illuminated Gregory Smart, dressed in grey pants and a matching sports coat. He was lying face down, with his feet on the tiled foyer floor and the rest of his body on the carpet in the adjoining dining area. A small amount of blood had pooled beneath his nose. As the officer went to roll Gregory over to begin CPR, he noticed a large fatal wound on the upper left side of his head. No one else was found inside the residence, which had been ransacked. CDs were scattered everywhere, a VCR was overturned on the floor, and stereo speakers were placed by the back door along with the small television. It appeared that a burglar had been piling their loot there in preparation to flee when they were interrupted by Gregory arriving home. He was shot once in the head at close range, killing him instantly. Speaker 1 (3:50) The main bedroom upstairs was also in disarray. Drawers had been pulled out, clothing was tossed about, and an empty jewellery box was found in the bathroom sink. Given the upstairs area was less messy than downstairs, investigators surmised that at least two people were involved in the crime, one less haphazard than the other. Pillow stuffing was found throughout the unit and several sofa pillows were missing, suggesting they had been emptied and used as bags to carry stolen goods. The smart small pet dog, which usually roamed freely throughout the residence, was found locked in the cellar. Behind the condominium was a grassy hill leading to parkland, commonly used as a shortcut to a nearby shopping plaza. About 100 yards from the Smart's condo, in a mowed area, police found a carving knife embedded in the ground along with paper towels, a plastic jewellery box and parts of a cardboard jewellery box, all of which had come from the Smart residence. During an interview with police that night, Pamela Smart stated she worked as a media coordinator for School Administrative Unit 21, which oversaw several school districts across the state. Her office building was across from Winnikunnet High School, just under an hour's drive from her home. Gregory worked as a salesman for his father's insurance firm and left home that day at 9am. Pamela left at about 9.45, slightly later than usual because she was attending a school board meeting that evening. When she returned home at around 10.10pm, Gregory's pickup truck was parked outside, but the internal house lights were off and the front door was locked. Upon entering the unit, Pamela turned on the foyer light and discovered Gregory's lifeless body. There was no sign of forced entry around to the unit, but Pamela suggested the rear French doors might have been left unlocked after a recent gathering. Speaker 1 (6:00) Investigators also found the bulkhead leading to the cellar unsecured. Given that the smarts didn't usually leave lights on when they were away, Gregory likely entered the dark unit without sensing any danger. Pamela was cooperative with investigators and willing to assist them in any way. However, they noted that she was unusually composed for someone who had just found her husband brutally murdered. She didn't cry during questioning and appeared more anxious than distressed. Her eyes frequently moved around the room and she seemed tense. Investigators spoke with Pamela again the following day. She was just as calm and collected as the night before. They assured her that they meant no offence, but they needed to know if she and Gregory were experiencing any problems such as financial difficulties, drug or alcohol issues, or infidelity. Pamela said no. She and Gregory had only been married for a year and both had been doing well. She had just received a $26,000 pay rise and was enjoying her work, viewing it as a stepping stone toward a career in broadcasting. Gregory had recently co-won a Rookie Salesman of the Year award. Outgoing and sociable, he had no known enemies and was widely described as the kind of person who would give someone the shirt off his back. Speaker 1 (7:33) The pair had met in 1986 at a New Year's Eve party Gregory was hosting. He was a long-haired, good-looking metalhead, contrasting with Pamela's image as a petite, popular cheerleader. But she had a hidden edge. She enjoyed the same type of music as Gregory and the two quickly hit it off and went on several dates. Pamela quickly developed strong feelings for Gregory, but at the time, he wasn't ready to commit to a serious relationship. Speaker 1 (8:05) The two remained in contact after Pamela left for college and months later, she visited Gregory and discovered he was casually seeing someone else. Pamela forced him to choose between her and the other woman. To her surprise and disappointment, Gregory ended their relationship on the spot, still unwilling to commit. Speaker 1 (8:28) That summer, they crossed paths again during a vacation with mutual friends. Their romance rekindled and Gregory began having serious feelings about Pamela. She was thrilled when he finally agreed to move in together and get engaged. Speaker 1 (8:45) The wedding was an extravagant event attended by more than 200 guests. By all accounts, it went perfectly, yet those who knew Gregory well were surprised at his decision to marry at a young age. He had typically been the life of the party and not someone who appeared eager to settle down. By that point, Gregory had cut off his long hair, replaced his band t-shirts with a suit and tie, and was preparing to enter the corporate world. Even so, the newly wedded couple appeared happy when they left for their honeymoon. But once they returned, the critical side of Pamela's personality started to cause friction in the marriage. As a wedding present, her family had given the couple substantial amounts of cash and expensive items. Pamela was annoyed that Gregory's family had contributed comparatively little, in some cases barely enough to cover the cost of their meal. Unlike Pamela, who had a more distant relationship with her family, Gregory was very close to his own. He grew irritated by her complaints and eventually told her he'd heard enough. But she wouldn't let the matter go. Pamela was known to make sharp or cutting remarks that left others feeling hurt in order to elevate herself by comparison. Some believed this behaviour stemmed from deep-seated insecurities, despite Pamela being widely regarded as physically attractive, popular and successful. These traits also made her competitive and possessive, with others describing her as someone who harboured a simmering anger beneath the surface. Gregory took amusement in provoking his wife with passive-aggressive acts, including deliberately mispronouncing her name and making suggestive comments about other women. Whenever Pamela tried to confront Gregory or draw him into an argument, he dismissed her frustrations with a simple whatever, which only infuriated her further. The couple's strong, ego-driven personalities often clashed, as did their differences. Pamela was ambitious, determined and highly organised, always planning for the future. Gregory was laid back, carefree and content to spend his time kicking back with friends. Pamela also grew unhappy that Gregory, who had flexible work hours, was often away from home in the evenings. Gregory told a friend that Pamela wanted him to quit his job, but he refused as he enjoyed his work and the income it provided. Given that much of his free time was spent with friends pursuing hobbies such as playing cards, golfing and off-roading, activities Pamela had little interest in, the couple spent relatively little of their leisure time together. Pamela focused on her own interests, including taking courses related to media and public relations and reading upwards of six newspapers a day. She had dreams of becoming a nationally recognised reporter, just like the anchorwomen and journalists she admired. Speaker 1 (12:03) Many people in the smart social circle were completely unaware of any serious issues in the marriage. For the most part, the couple presented themselves as coping fine and capable of recovering from their disagreements. They would regularly go out for dinner or drinks with friends, host gatherings at their home, and were planning a vacation together. Gregory had even mentioned that he was preparing a celebration for their one-year wedding anniversary. Speaker 1 (12:33) Yet, there were some who still believed the marriage was doomed to fail. Both Gregory and Pamela had confided in others about fundamental issues and differing expectations for the future. Gregory wanted to buy a house and have children, but Pamela wasn't interested. While venting with a friend about the problems they had with their respective partners, Pamela asked, Why can't they just die and make our life easier? No divorce, no nothing. Just disappear. Gregory's murder occurred just days shy of his and Pamela's one-year wedding anniversary. The only moment Pamela's stoic demeanour shifted during her early conversations with police was when they advised her not to speak to the press. She became noticeably defensive, saying, Don't talk bad about them. I'm one of them too. Investigators found it odd that she seemed more upset by their comments about the media than by her own husband's brutal and untimely death. Pamela's behaviour raised further suspicion once police had finished processing the crime scene. As they prepared to leave the unit, she was allowed inside to collect clothing for Gregory's funeral. A towel had been placed over the bloodstain in the dining room to spare her from seeing it, and she stepped across it nonchalantly. She also reprimanded an officer for closing the rear doors against the drapes and complained about fingerprint powder on the sofa, demanding to know who would clean it up. When she went upstairs to select the clothes Gregory would be buried in, she moved quickly and without hesitation, opening drawers and grabbing whatever was there. She took no time to pause, mourn or reflect. Nothing she selected even matched. It was only after she stepped outside that she finally broke down in the presence of Gregory's parents. Speaker 1 (14:43) Investigators spoke to the Smart's neighbours and only one recalled hearing anything unusual on the night that Gregory was killed. He had heard Gregory arrive home at around 9pm, followed by the pitter-patter of feet across the floor and then two loud thuds which came several minutes apart and sounded like doors slamming. The decision to target the Smart's unit was strange. Breaking into a densely populated condominium complex at night when most residents were likely to be home was reckless. Such risky behaviour was more commonly associated with amateur opportunistic offenders who were typically unarmed. Those who did bring guns rarely used them, let alone to deliberately execute an innocent person in cold blood. They were also the type to steal small, easily pocketed items that they could immediately use, sell or discard, such as wallets, keys and jewellery, rather than large, bulky electronics. But Gregory's diamond and gold wedding ring was found underneath his body, and his wallet and car keys were left between his legs. There was no cash in the wallet, but all of his credit cards were inside. If more experienced offenders were responsible for Gregory's murder, investigators questioned why they abandoned the job and left behind much of the property they had gathered to steal. As for suspects, there were few obvious leads. Gregory enjoyed taking trips to Atlantic City with friends and family where he gambled. Investigators wondered whether he could have accumulated debts with the wrong people. Neighbours also reported an increase in parties and get-togethers at the smart unit in recent weeks, with a variety of people coming and going from the residence. Some were noted as looking suspicious. This prompted speculation that drugs might be involved. The theory gained some traction when a cannabis cigarette was found in Gregory's pickup truck. However, no other illicit substances were discovered in his vehicle, unit or anywhere else on the property and he had no prior history of major drug use or interactions with the police. Whatever the explanation, investigators increasingly suspected they were dealing with something more than a burglary gone wrong. Speaker 1 (17:18) Against investigators' advice, Pamela Smart spoke to the press about her husband's case. She said she wanted to dispel the growing rumours that the killing was drug-related, insisting that she simply wanted the truth to be known. While details of the crime were being kept under wraps to protect the integrity of the investigation, Pamela openly disclosed some of the confidential information during a filmed media interview. She described the crime scene in considerable detail, revealing that the unit had been ransacked, that stereo speakers had been left by the back door, and that $300 worth of jewellery was missing. She also referred to the theory that the killing was a botched burglary and stated that there were no witnesses. The interview took place on the day of Gregory's wake. At the event, Pamela received an outpouring of support from those in attendance. She also announced that she had established a memorial fund in Gregory's name to purchase equipment for a mass media course at Winnikunnet High School. The class was a recent addition to the school, having been approved during the board meeting held on the night Gregory was murdered, the same meeting Pamela had attended. Notably, she had been selected to teach the course. Pamela explained that she wanted something positive to come from the tragedy and for Gregory to remain a part of her daily life. During the wake, three students from Winnikunnet High School arrived with a guidance counsellor. Having heard about Gregory's tragic death, the counsellor believed it would be appropriate for the students to pay their respects as they were all well acquainted with Pamela. The students were 15-year-old Cecilia Pierce, 16-year-old Billy Flynn and 17-year-old Vance Latimer Jr. Cecilia was a student intern in the media centre who worked directly with Pamela, while Billy had recently received assistance from Pamela for a videotape competition at school. Vance was less familiar with Pamela than the other two, but still closer to her than most. Speaker 1 (19:37) Pamela appeared surprised to see the three teenagers whose presence at the wake drew some attention, but she thanked them for attending. She introduced them