William Flynn, once the teenage lover at the center of a notorious murder-for-hire case, has established a seemingly ordinary life for himself in suburban Maine, years after admitting to his role in the killing of Gregg Smart. Flynn, now 52, has built a new life running his own electrical contracting firm, Newcastle Electric, since 2018. He lives with his wife of two decades in a Cape Cod-style home in Newcastle, Maine, a town noted for its picturesque setting.
This development comes as Pamela Smart, Flynn's former lover and the woman prosecutors described as a "black widow," continues her legal efforts to overturn her conviction. Smart, who was 22 when she began an affair with the 15-year-old Flynn, is seeking a new trial, alleging that prosecutors misled the jury with inaccurate transcripts of recorded conversations after her husband's death.
The Murder and Trial
In May 1990, Gregg Smart, an insurance salesman, was murdered in his Derry, New Hampshire, condominium. Prosecutors stated that Pamela Smart manipulated Flynn into orchestrating the killing as a staged burglary. Flynn and a friend, Patrick Randall, carried out the murder; Randall held a knife to Gregg Smart's throat while Flynn shot him. Their accomplices waited outside in a getaway car.
Flynn, as part of a plea deal, testified against Pamela Smart in a highly publicized trial, the first of its kind to be broadcast live on television. The case later inspired books and the 1995 film "To Die For," starring Nicole Kidman. Flynn and Randall pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and were sentenced to 28 years to life in prison. Both were released in 2015 and placed on lifetime parole after serving 25 years.
Pamela Smart was convicted as an accomplice to first-degree murder and other charges, receiving a life sentence without parole. She has consistently denied any knowledge of or involvement in the plot.
Flynn's Life Post-Release
Since his release in 2015, Flynn has largely remained silent about the case. He has built a business, holding a journeyman's electrician's license and his firm reports significant annual sales. He was seen attending a business networking event, appearing outwardly like a typical New England businessman. When asked about Smart's latest legal bid, Flynn offered a brief comment, stating that such attempts "seem to happen every so often" and declined to discuss his past, stating, "I don't talk about that at all."
Flynn's remorse was expressed in a 2008 courtroom apology, where he tearfully accepted responsibility for his actions, blaming his youth, feelings of insecurity, and his family's perceived abandonment, while also stating Smart exploited his vulnerability. He also admitted he "would have killed for her and she knew that."
Gregg Smart's cousin, Jillian Smart, has expressed that the family's focus remains on Pamela Smart, whom she believes should stay in prison given her lack of remorse and failure to admit guilt. Jillian Smart stated that while she forgives Flynn and the other accomplices to a degree, feeling they were manipulated and "just kids," the family's ire is reserved for Pamela Smart. She noted that each of Smart's legal challenges reopens the family's grief.
Pamela Smart's Continued Appeals
Pamela Smart, now 58, is serving her sentence at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in New York. Her spokesperson, Eleanor Pam, stated that Smart feels "fury" at the fact that Flynn and the other accomplices are free while she remains incarcerated, asserting they fabricated their story to receive plea bargains. Eleanor Pam maintains that Smart has been a model inmate, earned advanced degrees, and assisted other prisoners, and has shown remorse for her husband's death, but still denies orchestrating the murder.
Pamela Smart's latest legal bid involves challenging the integrity of the transcripts used in her trial. The outcome of her appeal will be determined by a judge. Meanwhile, Flynn appears to have successfully reintegrated into society, a stark contrast to Smart's ongoing struggle within the justice system. He offered a rare glimpse into his current life, stating, "I'm sorry you came all this way, but it's just not a thing I talk about."