This is the text of a letter from Susan Smith to Tom Findlay, dated Oct. 17, 1994. Findlay is the son of the owner of Conso Products, where Smith worked.

Solicitor Tommy Pope read this letter and another one from Findlay during testimony Wednesday, July 19.

Bold text indicates words that were underlined in the letter. Misspellings and ellipses are just as they appear in the letters.

Smith's undated letter was handwritten.

Dear Tom,

Just a note to say thank you for everything. I could never express in words how much you mean to me. I will always treasure our friendship and all of the many wonderful memories we have made.

I want you to know that I have never felt with anyone, the way I feel when I'm with you. I have never felt so needed. You are a very special person and that is part of why making love to you is so wonderful.

I know how you feel about our relationship and I respect that. I'm appreciative of your honesty with me. I do want us to be friends forever and I'll never let anything happen that would change that.

I do hope that we will be able to date some and be together again someday, but if we never made love again, my feelings for you would not change because having you as my friend is worth more than sex could ever be worth.

Once again, I'm sorry for Sat. night and would take it back in a (heart-shaped design) beat if I could. I really wanted to be with you and hated that I wasn't.

Thank you for being there for me through all the rough times. You are a true friend. I want you to know that I will always love and care for you for the rest of my life. You are the best friend anyone could ever have.

Well, I hope I said everything right. The bottom line is: I'm glad we are friends and if that is all we can be, then we will just have to do a hell of a job of being that. Who knows what the future holds for our relationship. I'm just going to live one day at a time.

One more thing before I go, please don't ever hesitate to call me if you ever need anything! I will always be here for you!

Friends Forever, (a heart-shaped design on each side of the words)

Susan

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