Comment by andai
2 years ago
Remarkable. Would it really have been 3 years if he'd accepted? That seems far too low.
On the other hand, the first degree homicide seems absurd given the evidence. Did they just give him that because he refused to cooperate, and not because it was actually an accurate verdict?
Everything I've seen indicates that the "court" seemed to think it was a case of "murder in red blood" or whatever they call getting angry and killing your wife these days, with a dose of "very intentional coverup afterwards".
Had he driven the car with her dead body directly to the police, he probably would have received the three year sentence or even less.
More has come out since the trial (and mostly on account of Reiser himself making very hard to walk back claims on the record in another court case).
Did more come out or did Reiser make up claims that he though would help his case? That would make him an idiot but doesn't really give any real evidence towards the murder being pre-meditated considring all his other bad decisions in court.
Not saying they were right, but that's likely what they were feeling (and maybe even the family was pushing for - they clearly knew she was dead, and just wanted the children out of the whole thing).
> Would it really have been 3 years if he'd accepted? That seems far too low.
The prosecution offered the deal because historically convicting someone of murder when you can't find the body is nearly impossible. But Hans found a way!