Gourt > Society > Crime > Trials > Steinberg, Joel
Joel Steinberg (born May 25, 1941), a former New York criminal defense attorney, attracted international media attention when he was accused of murder and convicted of manslaughter in the November 2, 1987, death of a six-year-old girl, Elizabeth ("Lisa"), whom he had allegedly adopted under false pretenses. Steinberg had reportedly been hired to locate a suitable adoptive family for Lisa, but instead took the child and raised her himself despite never having filed formal adoption papers.
Steinberg was specifically accused of hitting Lisa on the head and then not seeking medical attention for the child, supposedly because he was under the influence of cocaine; she died in the squalid apartment in New York's Greenwich Village that Steinberg shared with Lisa, Mitchell (a younger child also adopted by Steinberg, 18 months old at the time of Lisa's death), and Steinberg's partner Hedda Nussbaum. Both the boy and Nussbaum showed signs of physical abuse, and Nussbaum's battered, unkempt appearance did much to fuel the media frenzy that accompanied the story of Lisa's death. At Steinberg's trial, it was suggested that Nussbaum's extensive injuries, which included severe damage to the face and permanent spinal damage, resulted from a consensual sadomasochistic relationship between the two. In exchange for her testimony against Steinberg, Nussbaum was granted immunity from prosecution and was never charged with any crime in the case.
Unable to convict Steinberg on the most serious charge of second-degree murder (in New York State at that time, first degree murder applied only to those who killed police officers or had committed murder while already serving a sentence for a previous murder), the jury instead convicted him of the second most serious charge, first-degree manslaughter. The judge then sentenced him to the maximum penalty then available for that charge — 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison.
More on [ Joel Steinberg ]
Joel Smith maps the mind of Saul Steinberg. Lauren Redniss reveals a history of blind spots. And more. http://tr.im/movpic (via Heller)
litherland (litherland) Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:18:27 -0000
Joel Smith maps the mind of Saul Steinberg. Lauren Redniss reveals a history of blind spots. And more. http://tr.im/movpic (via Heller)
Joel Steinberg Case and Sensationalism - Article by Mitchell Stephens asking if this case is really significant.
Lisa Steinberg - Biographical sketch, photographs of her and her tombstone, map to cemetery, and interactive visitor comments from Find A Grave.
NYC Settles Lisa Child Abuse Suit - Explains the suit, brought by Lisa Steinberg's biological mother, for the neglect of the city to protect the child.
Oprah Winfrey on Joel Steinberg - Updates information on the show dealing with this crime, and the victim.
The People and C., Respondent, v. Joel Steinberg, Appellant - Actual copy of the appeal filed by Steinberg for the manslaughter conviction he received for the death of his child, Lisa.
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Vacco Opposes Joel Steinberg Parole - Letters to the parole board opposing the release of this killer, comments, and view what others have written.
| guy on the subway rants about joel steinberg | |
