SUSAN SMITH . . . COLD BLOODED OR CONFUSED?

In a opening statement tuned precisely to the nation's anger, the prosecutor in theSusan Smith casesaid the Union, S.C., woman "looked this country in the eye and lied" aboutdrowning her two sons-- all so that she could continue seeing a wealthy industrialist's son. As tears filled Smith's eyes, Keith Giese suggested that her motivatiuon was horrifying simple: "This is a case of selfishness. This is a case of I, I, I, me, me, me," he said, "That's the bottom line in this case." In the defense's opening statement, lawyer Judy Clarke painted Smith, 23, as a troubled woman and failed suicide. "When we talk about Susan's life, we're not trying to gain your sympathy," said Clarke. "We're trying to gain your understanding." Lead defense attorney David Bruck has saidhis case will be based on Ms. Smith's mental state.