Michael pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received 18 years in prison. He claims there was a conversation at a bar along with Becky's son, Ben, a year before Dr. Schwartz was murdered. Van Sant asked. WebThe murder of Robert Schwartz occurred on December 8, 2001, in Leesburg, Virginia. "It was well-known that he liked to gamble quite a bit," said Dyer. I was scared," he said. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Dr. Steven Schwartzs brother, James Schwartz, filed suit against her on behalf of the doctors three adult children. Back then, Dyer was 20 years old, a former high school football star and a buddy of Steven Schwartz. [5][21] Schwartz was with his girlfriend in a public restaurant but there are cell phone records linking Schwartz's cell phone to a convenience store pay phone, where Bigger allegedly visited that evening, and to Bigger's hotel, which was paid for by Schwartz. "I told him-- I said, 'I want nothin' to do with this. They started with his family, and Clara Schwartz, his youngest daughter, was discovered quickly. The cops were soon on the lookout for any and all leads. Clara and Katherine had met while the former was in her senior year in high school. Because the jury could not make a decision on the first-degree murder charge, Schwartz would have been eligible for parole after serving 25 years (in 2029). But they live in fear, as she told her friend in another text: Dana Nichols (reading aloud in court): I said, "I am scared to talk to the detectives and -- and police I would hope if Becky came after me or sent someone after me, she wouldn't hurt Kendall. Inside, he found the scientist brutally murdered. Florin and Tom Roebig are top civil attorneys in Florida, who represented Carter and his family in a wrongful death lawsuit. I don't understand what's changed, what happened,'" she said. Bigger reportedly met up with the two at the restaurant. His friend and medical partner, Dr. Robert Patton, admired him greatly. Their trials are set for early next year. "She said, 'I had a little fight with Dr. Schwartz. "My guess is because I was finding this information out that she had kept hidden for years," he replied. They stood there and watched as Kyle went in and killed Robert before driving away with him. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. She set me up. They looked into his family first and soon learned of his youngest daughter, Clara. Rivellini and Denis deVlaming are Becky's criminal attorneys, hired to defend her against any possible future charges . Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Katherine and Katherines boyfriend, Michael Pfohl, were Claras pals at the time. "And I'm thinkin', 'He couldn't have done anything. The two former criminals pledged to spend the rest of their lives atoning for their terrible act. "The only one that can really answer that question is Dr. Schwartz himself," said Wil Florin. "I'm so sorry I didn't call the police. What the authorities found out next was a shocking tale of manipulation and fantasy. Becky Schwartz wouldn't speak with "48 Hours." Chances are its in Pasadena, 12 reasons why Sycamore Avenue is L.A.s coolest new hangout, Sirhan Sirhan, convicted of killing Robert F. Kennedy, denied parole by California board, Many still stranded in San Bernardino Mountains as snow blocks roads, threatens roofs, Suspected shooter in attacks on Jewish men was on FBIs radar, LAPD chief says, Caregiver accused in Manhattan Beach child sexual abuse case believed to be in Philippines, Woman arrested in stabbing death of her mother at their Lake Forest home. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. [3], The DNA evidence from Bigger in Stidham's car also provided evidence for the prosecution. (She does not face any charges regarding the murder of her husband.). I said, 'That's a misprint, because she met her husband in med school in New York 35 years ago. When Robert Schwartz was found murdered at his home in 2001, investigators had reason to believe the attack was targeted. Kyle, Michael, and Katherine had been apprehended by February 2002. She is into money like you and I are into breathing air," he replied. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. When Kyle was apprehended, he gave a complete confession to the police, claiming that he killed Clara because he believed Robert was abusing her. "I was there. Katherine received a one-year prison sentence after being convicted guilty of a murder conspiracy. Patrick stated that he met Clara in June 2001 at a festival in Leesburg, Virginia. World Expert "And then staged the scene to look like a burglary?" She settled that suit for an undisclosed amount. "I said to them, 'Please, do not overlook anyone in this family just because they're related.". Carter says she bought them houses, cars, clothing, and jewelry for herself. Schwartz has been in jail since her arrest in February on the campus of James Madison University, where she was a student. "And I don't recall there being a lot of conversation. Stragaj says when he picked up the handbag he saw a knife inside. She managed both his medical office and investments. "He said, 'I'm going home. "she didn't have five children.". WebDaughter Gets 48 Years In Slaying of Her Father By Maria Glod February 11, 2003 Clara Jane Schwartz, a former college student obsessed by vampires, assassins and magic, I didn't kill their father. Soon, the police went about chasing every lead possible. "That's like stealing money out of the donation tray at church," Dr. Patton remarked. "Steve was your classic gentle giant a guy who had the heart of a bear," Dr. Patton said. [9] In December 2001, one month after Stidham joined the practice, the DEA raided the office and Schwartz was indicted by a federal grand jury on 77 counts of illegally obtaining prescription medicine. [4] In addition to local media outlets, Court TV and CBS's 48 Hours provided coverage to a national audience. And, deVlaming points out, even Stragaj's alibi was shot down by police, who checked his cell phone records. Ten months after the murder Leo Stragaj was arrested, but police kept looking for evidence. "He was my doctor. The defense argued that the man prosecutors say she asked to commit the crime, Kyle Hulbert, is not mentally stable. Phillip Dyer, who drove Schwartz to the scene, but backed out before the crime, WebThe 48 Hours episode The Strange Life of Dr. Schwartz investigates the murder of Dr. Steven Schwartz, a 74-year-old a wealthy doctor who was brutally murdered in his It was a horrific incident. If not, here's a few bucks a month for your phone bill.'". Carter always believed the main reason Becky was with his father was because she wanted to spend his money. Both the prosecution and the defense attacked Schwartz's character. Millions and millions of dollars worth of money," said Becky's attorney, Denis deVlaming. "And siphoned to where? But Becky's attorneys are uncertain what the future will hold for her. "Your DNA was on the victim. Kyle, who was 18 at the time, had a history of mental illness and had previously spent time in psychiatric facilities. Schwartz, a prominent local nephrologist, was found dead in She continues to work as a paralegal. Her son, Eric, even got a Verizon store to run in Wisconsin. A year after Dr. Steven Schwartz was found shot stabbed and strangled in his waterfront mansion, Leo Stragaj sits in jail. WebIn 2016, Schwartzs adult children filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Rebecca Schwartz and Stragaj, claiming they conspired to kill the doctor. Stragaj is also believed to have moved the victim's money to new accounts and is suspected of spending the victims money on herself, filing fraudulent tax returns in the victim's name, as well as pawning and selling the victim's deceased husband's jewelry, the email said. There was a potential eyewitness of sorts -- the elaborate security camera system in the mansion -- something only Stragaj, Becky and family members knew about. "I didn't know," Stragaj said. Nor did she understand what she learned about Becky from a Google search. "Yeah, a large kitchen knife," Stragaj affirmed. Deposition attorney: She walked over to Meredith and leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I wish you would have died.". Clara was convicted of first-degree murder in her father's death. And there were bizarre behaviors after Dr. Schwartz's death that fed speculation about Becky's involvement. Cecil said. A father of two daughters, a dog lover, a gym rat, a coffee connoisseur, and an all-around doughnut snob. I loved the man," Stragaj said. Claras companion, Katherine Inglis, said Clara was involved in her fathers murder just a day or two after Robert was apprehended. "I think you'd have to be willfully ignorant not to see it," he replied. I mean, I don't think any of us were, really," said Dyer. The trial ended up painting Schwartz as an extremely manipulative individual, causing the jury to feel sympathy for Bigger. That's Becky's daughter in-law, Dana Nichols, who is married to her son, Ben. Stragaj is not the only one suspicious of Becky Schwartz. And I said, 'Listen, I'm your man for construction, but I don't know what you're lookin' for.' To say Steven Schwartz's life was extraordinary, as his son, Carter, does, is an understatement. [29] The events of the murder were also covered in an episode of Forensic Files titled "Office Visit", which aired on January 22, 2010, on truTV.[30]. The jury could have recommended a life sentence for the convictions, which also included conspiracy to commit murder and two counts of soliciting a crime. Schwartz introduced him to Goldberg as "Bruce. A prominent biophysicist, he had been stabbed multiple times with a 2-foot-long sword. Police say Lola Stragaj, 38, was brought into custody on Wednesday following an investigation into the possible exploitation of an elderly woman. [12] This occurred shortly after the Arizona Medical Board had reinstated Schwartz's license in August 2003. "He was dedicated to medicine like no physician I've ever known. During questioning, Clara initially claimed she thought Kyle was joking when he talked about killing Robert. And as time went on, Meredith felt Becky was becoming a little too close to her own husband. Robert Schwartzs tragic death was the consequence of a well-planned murder attempt. [22], Schwartz's ex-fiancee, Lourdes Lopez, who resigned as prosecutor after being indicted in federal court, continued to work as a defense attorney after disciplinary action had taken place. That's one of many unanswered questions. He sustained injuries to his eye sockets and tear ducts and suffered nasal damage and facial fractures that required plastic surgery. Lola Stragaj is accused of befriending an elderly woman with cognitive disabilities and then bilking her out of nearly $100,000. "There's always that possibility," said deVlaming. After her husband was murdered, Becky Schwartz sold the medical practice and decided to start a new life, moving from sunny Florida to the tiny, snowbound town of Winneconne, Wisconsin, near where her son, Eric, was running his Verizon store. I wouldn't put anything past her. I had no revenge or nothing.". Dr. David Brian Stidham, a 37-year-old pediatric ophthalmologist, was found stabbed and beaten to death outside his office on Oct. 5. [7] He worked at a hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania prior to relocating with his family to Tucson in the late '90s. At the time of the incident, he lived in a farmhouse away from the city in Leesburg, Virginia. She even changed her name to Schwartz -- though they didn't actually marry until 2012. He provided food for my family.". -- son. She fit into our lives so perfectly," Meredith explained. Despite the fact that 83% of the jury pool had been exposed to some of the pretrial media, Bigger's appeal was thrown out by the Arizona Court of Appeals in May 2011. And big money. But her attorneys make the case that she is innocent, and Leo Stragaj had a strong motive to kill Dr. Schwartz alone. "He was just a good dentist and a good -- become a good friend,' Cecil continued. In one of the messages, she said that if Kyle committed the murder, she didnt want it to be traced back to her. And according to a video deposition conducted by attorneys Florin and Roebig in the wrongful death lawsuit, Becky allegedly came to deliver a cruel message. Fifty-five years ago in Hobbs, New Mexico, Schwartz himself was involved in another murder case. But her one-time friends, April Cox and Patrick Olive, who helped her manage the Schwartz properties, say Becky could also be a tough cookie. Stickers Available To Alert Responders To People With Special Needs, Pinellas African American Heritage Celebration Set For Feb. 25, An Amazingly Kind Soul: FL Star Student, Ross Hosts Fundraiser For Boys & Girls Club, Social Security Seminar at Countryside Recreation Center, Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Largo Community Center, Shen Yun Classical Dance with Live Orchestra, Proven Strategies for the Care of Aging People, FL Democratic Party Would Be Eliminated Under Proposed Law, Extorting Nude Photos From Minor Leads to 19-Year-Old's Arrest: Police, 2023 Hurricane, Tropical Storm Names Released For Atlantic Season, FL Man AKA Sedition Panda Charged In Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol Breach: DOJ. Contact Dr. Robert G. Schwartz, MD, for an appointment. "Oh, I imagine he had maybe $1,000 or more at the time on him," Cecil said. Comprehensive pain management for Greenville, SC & surrounding areas. He says he had every reason to keep Steven Schwartz alive. In December 2001, however, tragedy befell the Schwartz family. He was in his 70s. She's in a new state starting a new life with a new man. "He lied to the police. [5] He was killed in his 1992 white Lexus SC400[19] and dragged from his car to make it look like a robbery. Lola Stragaj was booked into the Pinellas County Jail Wednesday, Dec. 14. Becky got five years probation and had to pay back the money she stole. Michael, 21, and Katherine, 19, drove Kyle to Roberts house on December 8, 2001, according to investigators. she said. By February 2002, Kyle, Michael, and Katherine were all in custody. Local nephrologist, was discovered quickly in jail since her arrest in February on the lookout any... Was with his family to Tucson in the late '90s, 'That 's a few bucks a month for phone. Farmhouse away from the city in Leesburg, Virginia trigger this block including submitting a certain word or,! 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