>>> I'M LESTER HOLT.
TONIGHT ON "DATELINE" -- A DRAMATIC NEW TWIST IN THE CASE
OF A DOCTOR, HIS WIFE, AND THE MYSTERIOUS END TO HER LIFE
>> OH, MY GOD, THERE'S BLOOD EVERYWHERE
OH, MY GOD MY MOTHER.
MY MOMMY >> HER SCREAMS ON THAT CALL WERE
SO RAW AND SO REAL >> I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M LOSING
LESLIE [ CRYING ]
>> HE WALKED INTO THE BATHROOM AND FOUND HER ON THE FLOOR
>> YOU SORT OF THOUGHT, "GOSH, WHAT A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT."
SHE SLIPPED IN THE SHOWER. >> WHY IS THERE BLOOD ON THIS
WALL WHY IS THERE BLOOD ON THESE
WINDOW SHADES, THE HEADBOARD >> THERE'S NO WAY SHE FELL IN
HERE AND DIED. >> I SAID, "IT'S A HOMICIDE.
LESLIE WAS MURDERED. >> I THOUGHT, "THIS CAN'T BE
HAPPENING. HOW COULD THIS MAN BE
INVESTIGATED FOR HIS WIFE'S DEATH?
>> Reporter: YOU HAVE A DOCTOR >> A VERY, VERY LIKABLE GUY WHO
BRINGS BABIES INTO THE WORLD >> MY ENTIRE FAMILY IS STANDING
BEHIND HIM DO YOU THINK WE WOULD BE WITH
HIM IF WE THOUGHT HE WAS GUILTY? >> THIS IS ABOUT STANDING UP FOR
LESLIE SHE DIDN'T DESERVE THIS.
>> HERE'S ANDREA CANNING WITH "THE HOUSE ON SHALIMAR WAY."
>> Reporter: IN A QUIET SUBURBAN TOWN OUTSIDE OF SYRACUSE, NEW
YORK, THERE'S A STREET CALLED SHALIMAR WAY, A WINDING
CUL-DE-SAC LINED WITH WELL ADORNED MANSIONS, SWIMMING
POOLS, AND TENNIS COURTS TAKE THIS FINAL TURN, AND THERE
BEHIND THE TREES LIES ONE OF THE STREET'S CROWN JEWELS, AN
8,000-SQUARE-FOOT HOME OWNED BY A COUPLE WHO SEEMED TO HAVE IT
ALL. A CLOSE FAMILY, WEALTH,
PRESTIGE >> THEY WERE VERY INVOLVED IN
THE COMMUNITY. BOTH OF THEM SPENT THEIR LIVES
GIVING BACK. >> Reporter: LIFE WAS GOOD HERE.
THAT IS, UNTIL THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 17th, 2012
>> OH, MY GOD. OH, MY GOD
MY MOTHER. MY MOMMY
>> Reporter: IT WAS JUST BEFORE 8:30 A.M
DR. ROBERT NEULANDER, AN OBGYN, HAD RETURNED FROM A JOG TO
DISCOVER HIS WIFE, LESLIE, ON THE FLOOR OF THE BATHROOM
SHOWER HE YELLED TO HIS 23-YEAR-OLD
DAUGHTER, JENNA, TO CALL FOR HELP
>> MY MOTHER'S -- I DON'T KNOW IF SHE'S BREATHING, BUT SHE'S
LAYING ON THE GROUND IN THE SHOWER
>> IS SHE UNCONSCIOUS? >> UM, I -- I DON'T KNOW
I'M, UH -- >> OKAY.
IS SHE AWAKE >> SHE'S -- I DON'T THINK SHE'S
AWAKE. I NEED TO GO OVER THERE AND SEE
IF SHE'S OKAY. >> OH, MY GOD.
THERE'S BLOOD EVERYWHERE >> MA'AM
TAKE A DEEP BREATH WE'RE GOING TO GET SOMEBODY
STARTED. MA'AM?
>> OH, MY GOD, DADDY >> OKAY.
>> Reporter: SERGEANT TOM NORTON OF THE DEWITT POLICE DEPARTMENT
WAS NEARBY WHEN THE CALL WENT OUT.
>> OVER THE RADIO I HEAR A UNCONSCIOUS PERSON CALL, WHICH
IS -- WE GET THOSE ALL THE TIME. A FEMALE HAD SLIPPED AND FELL IN
THE SHOWER AND SHE WAS UNCONSCIOUS.
>> Reporter: THAT WAS ALL THE INFORMATION YOU HAD.
>> THAT WAS ALL THAT I KNEW GOING INTO THIS.
I WENT INSIDE AND THIS -- THIS HOUSE IS ENORMOUS.
AND I'M FOLLOWING THE NOISE. AND I GO UPSTAIRS, AND I'M IN
THIS OFFICE AREA AND THERE'S A GENTLEMAN WHO I
LATER LEARNED WAS DR. NEULANDER. AND THERE WAS A FEMALE WHO I
LATER LEARNED WAS JENNA NEULANDER.
SHE WAS ON THE FLOOR, AND SHE WAS JUST SCREAMING HYSTERICALLY.
SHE JUST KEPT SCREAMING, "MOMMY," OVER AND OVER AGAIN
AND IT MADE ME FOCUS ON HER 'CAUSE IT -- IT'S LIKE, WHY IS
SHE REACTING TO THIS YOU KNOW, I MEAN, WE -- WE GO TO
PEOPLE WHO ARE PASSED OUT ALL THE TIME
>> Reporter: BEFORE NORTON COULD GET HIS BEARINGS, A PARAMEDIC
EMERGED FROM THE BEDROOM WHERE THE VICTIM WAS BEING WORKED ON
>> HE SAYS TO DR. NEULANDER, "I'M GONNA SPEAK TO YOU ON YOUR
LEVEL AS A PHYSICIAN THERE'S NOTHING THAT WE CAN DO
FOR HER. I'M ASKING FOR YOUR PERMISSION
TO STOP CPR. AND I'M LIKE, "STOP CPR?
I MEAN, THIS IS -- SOMEONE'S JUST UNCONSCIOUS
WHAT DO YOU MEAN STOP CPR? AND THAT MADE JENNA SCREAM EVEN
MORE >> Reporter: THAT WAS ALSO THE
MOMENT WHEN SERGEANT NORTON REALIZED JUST WHO DR. NEULANDER
WAS -- AND THAT THEY HAD A PERSONAL CONNECTION.
>> MY WIFE USED TO GO TO HIM >> Reporter: OH, OKAY.
SO YOU REALLY -- HE WAS REALLY ON YOUR RADAR.
>> I DIDN'T KNOW HIM PERSONALLY. BUT YEAH, I KNEW WHO HE WAS.
>> Reporter: DID HE DELIVER YOUR CHILD?
>> HIS MIDWIFE DID BUT YEAH, HIS OFFICE DID
>> Reporter: IT'S A BIT OF A COINCIDENCE THERE.
>> CORRECT YEAH, IT -- IT WAS STRANGE
>> Reporter: WHILE ANOTHER OFFICER STAYED WITH THE
NEULANDERS, NORTON DECIDED TO TAKE A LOOK AROUND
>> AND I WALKED PASSED THEM INTO THIS BEDROOM, AND I JUST
IMMEDIATELY STOPPED IN THE DOORWAY BECAUSE OF WHAT I WAS
SEEING >> Reporter: WHAT ARE YOU
SEEING >> OFF TO MY RIGHT, I SEE THE
PARAMEDICS WORKING ON A FEMALE SHE'S ON A BACKBOARD
THERE'S A LOT OF BLOOD AROUND HER.
AND THEN I LOOK OFF TO MY LEFT, AND THAT'S THE ENTRANCE TO THE
BATHROOM AND THERE'S JUST BLOOD ALL OVER.
IT'S MARBLE FLOOR. THERE'S BLOOD ALL OVER THE
FLOOR. IT'S ON THE WALLS.
>> Reporter: BLOOD PRESUMABLY FROM A HEAD WOUND AFTER THAT
FALL NORTON WALKED OVER TO GET A
CLOSER LOOK AT THE BODY. LESLIE'S HAIR WAS MATTED WITH
BLOOD. AND HE NOTICED HER LEFT EYE.
>> IT WAS CLOSED AND SWOLLEN AND COMPLETELY BLACK.
AND I'M -- I'M LOOKIN' AT IT AND, YOU KNOW, I'M LIKE, "WELL,
I'VE SEEN PEOPLE WITH BLACK EYES."
I MEAN, I'VE BEEN DOING THIS A LONG TIME, AND THAT WAS UNLIKE
ANY BLACK EYE I'VE EVER SEEN >> Reporter: LESLIE WAS
OFFICIALLY DECLARED DEAD AT THE SCENE.
THE NEWS WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR FRIENDS LIKE MARY JUMBELIC TO
ABSORB >> I WAS CONFUSED AT FIRST
I THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD -- THE INFORMATION WAS INCORRECT.
>> Reporter: DID YOU SAY HOW, DETAILS?
>> UM, I -- I -- I -- I THINK I COULDN'T EVEN ASK THAT QUESTION
INITIALLY BECAUSE I WAS TOO OVERWHELMED WITH THE NEWS.
I JUST CRIED >> Reporter: ANOTHER FRIEND,
TERRI BARR, HEARD THE NEWS FROM HER DAUGHTER WHO WAS CLOSE WITH
JENNA. >> I JUST DIDN'T BELIEVE IT.
I THOUGHT THIS JUST CAN'T BE TRUE
JENNA HAD SENT OUT A GROUP TEXT TO HER FRIENDS THAT --
"MY MOTHER'S DIED -- SHE FELL IN THE SHOWER," I THINK IS WHAT IT
SAID >> Reporter: WHAT ARE YO
THINKING AS YOU'RE DRIVING TO THE NEULANDERS' HOUSE?
>> I JUST COULDN'T EVEN BELIEVE IT
I JUST THOUGHT, "I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M LOSING LESLIE.
>> Reporter: AND ALL YOU KNOW IS THAT IT'S AN ACCIDENT.
>> RIGHT AND IT JUST SOUNDED SO FREAKY.
>> Reporter: FREAKY FOR SURE AFTER REVIEWING THE SCENE,
SERGEANT NORTON MADE A QUICK ASSESSMENT
HE WASN'T GOING HOME ANYTIME SOON
>> I ASKED THE FIRE CHIEF TO REMOVE ALL OF HIS PERSONNEL FROM
THE BEDROOM -- PARAMEDICS, EVERYBODY.
I WANTED 'EM ALL OUT SO THAT I DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT
CONTAMINATION. I CALLED MY CAPTAIN.
I TOLD HIM QUITE FRANKLY -- I SAID, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT I HAVE,
BUT YOU NEED TO COME HERE. >> Reporter: CRIME SCENE EXPERTS
WERE ON THE WAY. BUT WHAT WOULD THEY FIND
AN ACCIDENT OR SOMETHING MUCH DARKER
>>> WHEN WE COME BACK -- WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO LESLIE?
>> WHAT A LOSS THIS WAS. SHE'S VERY HEALTHY
SHE'S ATHLETIC SHE'S STRONG
IT WAS ALMOST UNIMAGINABLE >> SERGEANT NORTON IS ABOUT TO
MAKE A CURIOUS DISCOVERY >> SHE WAS MOVED OVER 50 FEET
FROM WHERE THE SHOWER WAS. SO IF THE SHOWER IS WAY OVER
HERE, WHAT IS SHE DOING WAY OVER >> Reporter: LESLIE NEULANDER
WAS DEAD AFTER A FALL IN THE SHOWER
BUT RESPONDING OFFICER TOM NORTON HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT
THE SCENE. FOR ONE, WHY HAD HE FOUND HER
BODY IN THE BEDROOM, NOT THE BATHROOM
>> SHE WAS MOVED OVER 50 FEET FROM WHERE THE SHOWER WAS.
SO THAT'S GOING THROUGH MY MIND. IF -- IF THE SHOWER IS WAY OVER
HERE, WHAT IS SHE DOING WAY OVER HERE
>> Reporter: AND THERE WAS THAT STRANGE LOOKING BLACK EYE.
ANSWERS WOULD HAVE TO COME FROM THE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER WHO
ARRIVED AT THE HOUSE >> I REMEMBER HE SPENT QUITE A
BIT OF TIME LOOKING AT THE HEAD INJURY WHICH WAS JUST MASSIVE,
YOU KNOW, HER SKULL FRACTURE >> Reporter: NORTON LISTENED AS
THE M.E. REVIEWED THE SCENE. YES, THERE WAS A LOT OF BLOOD.
BUT HEAD WOUNDS BLEED PROFUSELY. AND THE LOCATION OF LESLIE'S
BODY DIDN'T SEEM TROUBLING DR. NEULANDER TOLD PARAMEDICS HE
CARRIED HER TO THE BEDROOM SO HE COULD PERFORM CPR.
AS FOR THAT BLACK EYE. THE M.E. SAID IT HAD RESULTED
FROM HER FALL. >> HE WAS EXPLAINING THAT WHEN
YOU HAVE AN INJURY TO THE SKULL ON THE RIGHT SIDE, IT'S COMMON
FOR IT TO BLEED INTO THE LEFT SIDE
HER EYE WAS POOLED WITH BLOOD. HE EXPLAINED TO US THAT THE
INJURY WAS VERY COMMON WHEN YOU FALL AND HIT YOUR HEAD
>> DID THE BLACK EYE EXPLANATION PUT THINGS A LITTLE MORE INTO
PERSPECTIVE FOR YOU? >> YES
THAT MADE SENSE. >> Reporter: RIGHT THERE AT THE
SCENE, THE M.E. CONCLUDED THAT LESLIE'S DEATH WAS AN ACCIDENT,
JUST AS THE FAMILY SAID. >> HE MADE THE DETERMINATION
THAT IT WAS CONSISTENT WITH AN ACCIDENTAL SLIP AND FALL IN THE
SHOWER >> ARE YOU A LITTLE SURPRISED?
>> YOU KNOW, I -- I'M NOT A MEDICAL EXAMINER
SO, I MEAN, I -- I TAKE HIS WORD FOR WHAT HE'S SEEING
>> I TOLD MY EVIDENCE TECHNICIAN, YOU KNOW, "HE'S
RULED IT ACCIDENTAL. FINISH WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND,
YOU KNOW -- AND PACK UP YOUR STUFF.
>> Reporter: THE HOUSE WAS TURNED OVER TO THE GRIEVING
FAMILY MARY JUMBELIC KNEW IT WOULDN'T
BE EASY FOR LESLIE'S MANY LOVED ONES TO SAY GOODBYE.
>> WHAT A LOSS THIS WAS FOR BOB, FOR JENNA.
FOR HER OTHER KIDS, FOR THE COMMUNITY, FOR HER FRIENDS
IT WAS ALMOST UNIMAGINABLE >> Reporter: MARY SAYS THAT
TOGETHER LESLIE AND BOB WERE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH.
>> THEY JUST ALWAYS SEEMED TO HAVE A VERY POWERFUL PUBLIC
PERSONA. THEY HAD TWO LOVELY CHILDREN
FROM THEIR MARRIAGE TOGETHER THEY WERE ALSO VERY FRIENDLY AND
SUCCESSFUL AND GREGARIOUS. SO THEY SEEMED TO HAVE THE
PERFECT LIFE >> Reporter: GOOD FRIENDS, A
CLOSE KNIT FAMILY. NOT TO MENTION THAT SPRAWLING
HOME ON SHALIMAR WAY A HOUSE IN THE CARIBBEAN, TOO.
BUT MARY SAYS LESLIE DIDN'T FLAUNT IT.
>> SO SHE HAD THE FANCY HOUSE BUT IT MIGHT AS WELL HAVE BEEN A
SHACK? >> YEAH.
SHE WAS TOTALLY UNPRETENTIOUS. YEAH
DESPITE HER SOCIAL STATUS, SHE WAS VERY ABLE TO RELATE TO
ANYONE ON ANY LEVEL. >> Reporter: BOB WAS WELL-LIKED
TOO. HE'D BUILT A SUCCESSFUL MEDICAL
PRACTICE, WORKING HARD TO EARN A REPUTATION AS ONE OF THE TOP
OBGYNs IN THE AREA >> HE WAS DEFINITELY A VERY GOOD
DOCTOR AND HE DEFINITELY DELIVERED A
LOT OF BABIES. >> Reporter: LESLIE'S FRIEND
TERRI IS A LABOR AND DELIVERY COUPLE OF YEARS.
>> WAS HE REALLY CALM UNDER PRESSURE
>> YES HE WAS VERY GOOD IN A -- IN AN
EMERGENCY. >> Reporter: LESLIE HAD A CAREER
IN MEDICINE, TOO SHE WAS A NURSE BEFORE GIVING IT
UP TO BE A STAY-AT-HOME MOM TO JENNA AND THEIR YOUNGER SON,
ARI. SHE ALSO PLAYED STEP-MOM TO
BOB'S KIDS FROM HIS FIRST MARRIAGE
>> ABSOLUTELY ADORED 'EM AND DEFINITELY MADE THEM THE
PRIORITY IN HER LIFE >> Reporter: AND THE KIDS' DEEP
AFFECTION FOR LESLIE IS CLEAR ON THIS TRIBUTE THEY MADE FOR HER
60th BIRTHDAY. >> THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU
I LOVE YOU >> Reporter: THE VIDEO WAS LATER
POSTED ON YOUTUBE, WHERE DAUGHTER JENNA AND HER
STEP-SISTER JOKED ABOUT LESLIE'S UNFORGETTABLE NEW YORK ACCENT.
>> SHE'S LIKE, "HOW DOES EVERYONE KNOW I'M FROM NEW YORK?
I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW DOES EVERYONE KNOW I'M FROM
NEW YORK?" >> YEAH.
I DON'T KNOW, MOM. YOU KNOW, LIKE -
>> HMM >> Reporter: IT WAS THAT ACCENT
THAT DREW FRIEND NEVIN ROBI TO HER.
THEY MET ONE DAY WHILE WAITING IN LINE AT STARBUCKS
>> SHE WAS PROBABLY FOUR OR FIVE PEOPLE IN FRONT OF ME.
LOUD BIG HAIR
YOU KNOW, LONG ISLAND ACCENT >> YOU RECOGNIZED IT RIGHT AWAY.
>> OH, IMMEDIATELY I MEAN, YOU PROBABLY COULD'VE
HEARD HER A HALF BLOCK AWAY EASILY
>> Reporter: THEY IMMEDIATELY HIT IT OFF, LIKE LESLIE DID WITH
SO MANY OTHERS IN TOWN >> I USED TO JOKE WITH HER, SHE
SHOULD RUN FOR MAYOR OF SYRACUSE
EVERYONE HERE KNOWS YOU. EVERYONE
>> Reporter: LESLIE AND BOB WERE ALSO KNOWN FOR THEIR
CONTRIBUTIONS TO LOCAL CHARITIES.
>> WHAT WAS IT ABOUT THEM THAT THEY WANTED TO GIVE BACK
>> I THINK THERE'S A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF RESPONSIBILITY ONE
FEELS WHEN YOU LIVE IN A SMALL COMMUNITY.
>> Reporter: A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY THAT EXTENDED TO
THEIR DEAREST FRIENDS. FRIENDS LIKE MARY.
SHE'D HAD A ROUGH YEAR WAS HOSPITALIZED AFTER
COMPLICATIONS FROM A SERIOUS FALL
THE NEULANDERS WERE RIGHT THERE TO SUPPORT HER
>> THE WHOLE FAMILY CAME OVER TO MY HOUSE TO WELCOME ME BACK.
AND ALL FOUR -- BOB, LESLIE, JENNA, ARI -- WERE ALL THERE
>> YOU COULD HAVE DIED >> YES
I WAS VERY CLOSE TO DEATH. SHE HUGGED ME AND KISSED ME AND
SAID, "IT'S AMAZING TO THINK THAT A LITTLE FALL LIKE THAT
COULD CAUSE YOU SO MUCH TROUBLE.
>> WOW NOW THOSE ARE KIND OF PROPHETIC
WORDS? SAD, REALLY.
YES. >> Reporter: LESLIE'S FATAL FALL
HAPPENED JUST TWO DAYS AFTER THAT VISIT
>> DID THAT SEEM ODD TO YOU THAT YOU HAD JUST GONE THROUGH THIS
LIFE-CHANGING EVENT WITH A FALL AND NOW HERE YOUR CLOSE FRIEND
IS -- HAS DIED FROM A FALL >> WELL, IT'S -- I CERTAINLY
ASKED THE QUESTION THAT EVERYONE ASKS
WHY NOW? WHY ME
WHY MY FRIEND? SHE'S 60 YEARS OLD, SHE'S VERY
HEALTHY, SHE'S ATHLETIC, SHE'S STRONG.
WELL, QUIRKY, WEIRD THINGS DO HAPPEN
>> Reporter: MARY HAD NO IDEA AT THE TIME HOW MUCH HER FRIEND'S
DEATH WOULD CONSUME HER, OR THE ROLE SHE WOULD BE ASKED TO PLAY
TO SOLVE A MYSTERY >>> COMING UP --
A DISTRAUGHT DAUGHTER TELLS POLICE WHAT SHE SAW.
>> HE KEEPS GRABBING FOR THE BLANKET TO COVER HER
>> AND SUSPICIONS BEGIN. >> THE ROOM HAD A LOT OF BLOOD
IN IT. >> DID THAT STRIKE YOU AS ODD AT
ALL? >> I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY
UNUSUAL. >> Reporter: LESLIE NEULANDER'S
DEATH HAD BEEN RULED AN ACCIDENT
FOR JENNA NEULANDER, AN ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING LOSS.
>> I THINK SHE REALLY RELIED ON HER MOM.
I THINK HER MOTHER WAS HER REAL ROCK
>> Reporter: DID THEY HAVE ONE OF THOSE MOTHER-DAUGHTER
RELATIONSHIPS -- >> YEAH, VERY SPECIAL.
>> Reporter: -- WHERE THEY COULD TALK ABOUT ANYTHING?
>> VERY MUCH >> Reporter: TERRI HAD RUSHED TO
THE NEULANDER HOUSE AS SOON AS SHE HEARD THE NEWS, ARRIVING
JUST AS POLICE WERE LEAVING. >> THE FAMILY IS IN THE LIVING
ROOM AND EVERYBODY'S OBVIOUSLY, YOU
KNOW, VERY UPSET AND CRYING AND HUGGIN' EACH OTHER
>> Reporter: WHAT DO YOU SAY WHEN YOU WALK INTO A SITUATION
LIKE THAT? >> "I'M REALLY SORRY
I'M JUST VERY SORRY. >> Reporter: SHE WAS THERE TO
SUPPORT THE FAMILY AND HAPPY TO HELP LATER THAT EVENING WHEN
JENNA ASKED FOR A FAVOR. >> SHE ASKED ME IF I WOULD MAKE
SURE THAT -- THAT THERE WASN'T BLOOD ON THE FLOOR IN THE
MOTHER'S ROOM -- IN HER MOTHER'S ROOM BEFORE I LEFT
>> Reporter: BLOOD IN HER MOTHER'S ROOM?
TERRI DIDN'T UNDERSTAND. SHE THOUGHT LESLIE HAD FALLEN IN
THE SHOWER SHE PULLED THE NEULANDER'S
HOUSEKEEPER ASIDE. WHAT DID SHE SAY ABOUT THE
SITUATION? >> SHE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE
ROOM HAD A LOT OF BLOOD IN IT AND THAT THEY TRIED CLEANING AND
CAN'T -- COULDN'T GET IT ALL UP. >> Reporter: DID THAT STRIKE YOU
AS ODD AT ALL? >> I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY UNUSUAL
BECAUSE I DIDN'T THINK THAT A CLOSED HEAD INJURY FROM A FALL
IN THE SHOWER WOULD HAVE ANY BLOOD.
>> Reporter: TERRI, THE TRAINED NURSE, DECIDED TO SEE FOR
HERSELF. SHE GOT A CHILL THE MINUTE SHE
CROSSED THE THRESHOLD. THERE WAS BLOOD IN THE BEDROOM,
POOLS AND POOLS OF IT. THE HOUSEKEEPER WAS ALSO
PERPLEXED. >> SHE SAID THIS JUST DOESN'T
MAKE SENSE THIS JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE
>> Reporter: TOGETHER THEY GOT DOWN ON THEIR HANDS AND KNEES
AND TRIED TO CLEAN UP THE BLOOD. BUT THERE WAS JUST TOO MUCH OF
IT AND IT WAS SOAKED DEEP INTO THE
CARPET OH, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE
THAT MUST HAVE BEEN -- >> IT WAS --
>> Reporter: -- AWFUL. >> IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AWFUL
IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AWFUL. >> Reporter: ALL THE WHILE, A
DISTURBING THOUGHT WAS TAKING ROOT
ONE TERRI DARED NOT SAY OUT LOUD
WHERE DOES YOUR MIND GO FROM THERE?
>> TO THE OBVIOUS, I THINK THAT -- THAT LESLIE'S BEEN
KILLED YOU -- YOU HAVE TO ASSUME THAT
WHEN THINGS DON'T MAKE SENSE >> Reporter: TERRI DIDN'T KNOW
KNOW THAT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER HAD ALREADY INVESTIGATED AT THE
SCENE AND RULED THE DEATH AN ACCIDENT, OR THAT BOB HAD GIVEN
AN EXPLANATION FOR ALL THAT BLOOD, SAYING HE MOVED THE BODY.
HER MIND RACED AS SHE WENT BACK DOWNSTAIRS TO COMFORT THE
FAMILY >> I THINK I JUST BLOCKED IT
I JUST BLOCKED IT. >> Reporter: WERE YOU BEING A
LITTLE BIT OF AN ACTRESS IN A WAY THAT I -
>> OH, SURE. DEFINITELY
>> Reporter: "I HAVE TO BE
SOMETHING I'M NOT RIGHT NOW. I HAVE TO FEEL SOMETHING OR
EXPRESS SOMETHING THAT I'M NOT FEELING.
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> Reporter: TERRI HAD TO KEEP A
STRAIGHT FACE BECAUSE, SHE SAYS, LESLIE'S FAMILY SEEMED SO
CERTAIN ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. THAT INCLUDED DAUGHTER JENNA
WHO'D BEEN IN THE ROOM THAT MORNING.
IT WAS JUST A FALL IN THE SHOWER
>> YEAH. >> Reporter: THAT -- "MY MOM
DIED IN AN ACCIDENT. >> YEAH.
AND IT WAS LEFT AT THAT. >> Reporter: THAT'S WHAT JENNA
TOLD POLICE WHEN SHE GAVE THEM A FORMAL STATEMENT ABOUT THE
ACCIDENT >> HE WAS LIKE, "MOM -- MOM'S
ON -- SHE IS ON THE GROUND SHE'S ON -
SHE'S IN THE SHOWER. SHE'S ON THE GROUND.
AND HE HAD HER ROBE OVER HER, AND HE WAS SCREAMING THAT SHE'S
GETTING REALLY COLD. SHE'S GETTING REALLY COLD.
AND HE KEEPS GRABBING FOR THE BLANKET TO COVER HER
I THINK HE SAID, LIKE "IS SOMEONE COMING TO HELP US?
OH, MY GOD IT FELT LIKE HOURS
>> IT FELT LIKE FOREVER, SURE. >> Reporter: THE TRAGIC ACCIDENT
WAS BIG NEWS IN SYRACUSE MEGAN COLEMAN IS AN ANCHOR AT
NBC AFFILIATE WSTM SHE SAYS EVERYONE WAS AS SHOCKED
BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES AS THEY WERE SYMPATHETIC TO
DR. NEULANDER. >> TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
HAVE A CONNECTION TO THIS MAN. HE HAD BEEN AT THE BEDSIDE WHEN
ALL THESE WOMEN WERE BRINGING THEIR CHILDREN INTO THE WORLD.
PEOPLE LOVED HIM >> Reporter: NOT ONLY DID MEGAN
REPORT ON THE NEULANDER STORY, BUT LIKE SO MANY IN THIS TOWN,
SHE ALSO KNEW THE DOCTOR PERSONALLY
A FEW MONTHS BEFORE LESLIE DIED, HE TOOK PART IN A CEREMONY FOR
MEGAN'S NEWBORN SON. LESLIE WAS THERE, TOO.
>> THEY WERE WARM. THEY WERE ENGAGING
SHE HAD THIS BEAUTIFUL SMILE NO ONE WOULD EVER HAVE THOUGHT
THAT, YOU KNOW, ANYTHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN TO HER
AND I THINK, GENERALLY, EVERYONE WAS JUST STUNNED
>> Reporter: DURING SHIVA, THE JEWISH MOURNING PERIOD, FRIENDS
AND FAMILY CAME IN DROVES TO SUPPORT BOB.
MARY JUMBELIC WAS STILL BED-RIDDEN AFTER HER OWN FALL,
SO HER HUSBAND WENT ALONE. >> SO HE WENT OVER TO VISIT, TO
REPRESENT OUR FAMILY, TO TALK TO THE FAMILY
>> Reporter: HOW WAS BOB COPING? >> WITHDRAWN, REALLY
>> Reporter: IT'S ALMOST LIKE LOSING YOUR COMPASS?
>> YES >> THERE WAS PEOPLE, YOU KNOW,
EVERY DAY AT THE HOUSE, BRINGING FOOD AND STAYING FOR SEVERAL
HOURS. BY THE END OF THE -- THE
EVENING, BOB WAS VERY ANNOYED BY HAVING PEOPLE STILL IN HIS
HOUSE, AND HE WAS GLAD TO SEE IT END.
>> Reporter: TERRI VISITED THE NEULANDERS FREQUENTLY THAT FIRST
WEEK SHE SAYS SHE WAS EVEN AT THE
HOUSE WHEN BOB GOT A PHONE CALL LETTING HIM KNOW THAT LESLIE'S
DEATH WAS OFFICIALLY BEING FILED AS AN ACCIDENT
>> I THOUGHT, "WELL, THEN THIS IS A CLOSED CASE."
>> Reporter: AND EVERYBODY'S ACCEPTING IT
>> SEEMS TO BE >> Reporter: BUT TERRI COULDN'T
LET IT GO. NOT FOR HER FRIEND, LESLIE
DID YOU EVER FEEL LIKE A LITTLE BIT OF A DETECTIVE OR SOMETHING
THAT YOU WERE -- >> I DID
I FELT LIKE THEY'RE -- PEOPLE AREN'T -- AREN'T PUTTIN' THE
PIECES TO THIS PUZZLE TOGETHER AND SOMEBODY NEEDS TO DO THAT.
>>> COMING UP -- >> WHERE DO YOU GO, AND WHAT DO
YOU DO >> HAUNTED BY DOUBT, TERRI
REACHES OUT. >> I SAID, "YOU SHOULD GO TO THE
POLICE." >> Reporter: DID YOU FEEL LIKE
BY GOING TO THE POLICE, THIS WILL PUT AN END TO IT?
>> YES >> Reporter: A MONTH HAD PASSED
SINCE THE HEARTBREAKING DEATH OF LESLIE NEULANDER
THAT'S JUST ABOUT WHEN THE FRIEND SHE'D MET AT STARBUCKS,
NEVIN ROBI, LEARNED SHE WAS GONE
THEY'D BEEN CLOSE BUT RAN IN DIFFERENT CIRCLES, HAD DIFFERENT
FRIENDS. NO ONE KNEW TO CALL HIM ABOUT
THE FUNERAL. >> IT WAS, LIKE, A MONDAY.
AND I JUST REMEMBER -- I JUST WOKE UP AN HOUR BEFORE MY ALARM.
AND I JUST WENT OVER TO MY COMPUTER, AND I JUST TYPED HER
FIRST AND LAST NAME IN AND THERE WAS HER OBITUARY
AND I WAS, LIKE, IN SHOCK. >> Reporter: WHAT WAS IT THAT
WAS MAKING YOU FEEL THAT YOU - >> I -- I HAVE NO IDEA
>> Reporter: THERE -- SOMETHING WAS HAPPENING THAT YOU NEEDED TO
SEARCH THAT DAY? >> I -- I DON'T KNOW
I REALLY DON'T KNOW. AND I JUST, LIKE, STARED AT THE
COMPUTER SCREEN. AND I WAS LIKE, "THIS CAN'T BE
REAL." >> Reporter: TERRI HAD BEEN IN
SHOCK AT FIRST, TOO. BUT NOW THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED
BY A DEEP SENSE OF UNEASE. TO HER, THE FALL IN THE SHOWER
STORY JUST DIDN'T ADD UP >> YOU'RE JUST KINDA WAITING FOR
YOUR PHONE TO RING AND SOMEBODY ELSE TO CALL AND SAY, "I THINK
WHAT YOU THINK AND WHAT -- YOU KNOW, WHAT DO
YOU THINK HAPPENED?" BUT WEEKS TURN INTO MONTHS, AND
NOBODY'S DOING THAT. >> Reporter: TERRI HELPED
LESLIE'S SISTER CLEAR SOME OF LESLIE'S THINGS OUT OF THE
HOUSE. DID SHE HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON
WHAT HAD HAPPENED OR - >> SHE NEVER DISCUSSED IT.
>> Reporter: AND YOU DIDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE BRINGING UP --
>> NO. I --
>> Reporter: -- YOUR SUSPICIONS? >> NO, I JUST ASSUMED SHE WOULD
BRING IT UP TO ME. >> Reporter: IT ALL LEFT TERRI
IN A VERY LONELY PLACE DID THAT WEIGH ON YOU, THAT
FEELING OF, "MAYBE IT'S NOT MY BUSINESS"?
>> UM, NO. IT NEVER WEIGHED ON ME THAT IT'S
NOT MY BUSINESS. IT WEIGHED ON ME -- WHY AREN'T
PEOPLE DOING ANYTHING? YOU KNOW
AND THERE WAS SOME CERTAINLY HESITANCY BECAUSE YOU DON'T
WANNA BE THE PERSON THAT'S OUT THERE BEIN' JUDGED BY THE WHOLE
COMMUNITY. LIKE, "WHY ARE YOU GOING AGAINST
THEM?" THAT'S NOT A GOOD POSITION TO BE
IN FOR ANYBODY >> Reporter: ARE YOU JUST EVERY
DAY WAKING UP AND THIS IS, LIKE, ON YOUR BRAIN?
>> MORNING, NOON, AND NIGHT. UH-HUH
AND THAT'S WHAT I STRUGGLED WITH FOR A VERY LONG TIME
WHERE DO YOU GO? AND WHAT DO YOU DO
>> Reporter: SHE REACHED OUT TO HER PRIEST FOR ADVICE.
HE SUGGESTED SHE CALL THE POLICE
BUT TERRI BELIEVED THE CASE WAS CLOSED
THEN SHE DECIDED TO TRY SOMEONE ELSE
>> I THOUGHT THAT SHE WOULD BE THE PERFECT PERSON TO ASK.
>> Reporter: A YEAR EARLIER, TERRI HAD GONE TO A BOOK CLUB
MEETING AT LESLIE'S HOUSE. THE PLOT OF THE BOOK INVOLVED A
CORONER. >> I BELIEVE IT WAS A STORY THAT
TOOK PLACE IN ENGLAND. IT WAS DEFINITELY AN INTERESTING
BOOK >> Reporter: AND IT JUST SO
HAPPENED THAT THERE WAS A REAL-LIFE MEDICAL EXAMINER IN
THE CLUB, AN EXPERT ON DEATH >> AND I REMEMBER MARY SAYING,
"YOU KNOW, IF YOU EVER HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THINGS THAT
YOU'RE WONDERING, YOU CAN ALWAYS ASK ME."
>> Reporter: MARY IS THE MARY YOU KNOW -- MARY JUMBELIC.
SHE IS NOT JUST A FRIEND OF LESLIE'S, BUT ALSO A DOCTOR, THE
RETIRED CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER FOR ONONDAGA COUNTY WHERE THE
NEULANDERS LIVED DID YOU THINK ABOUT THAT BOOK
AFTER LESLIE DIED? >> UM, I ONLY THOUGHT ABOUT IT
BECAUSE OF MARY. YES.
I THOUGHT ABOUT IF MARY -- MARY COULD EXPLAIN THIS
>> Reporter: THE WHOLE SITUATION WITH LESLIE.
>> CORRECT YES.
>> Reporter: TERRI PICKED UP THE PHONE.
WAS THAT A HARD CALL TO MAKE, EVEN TO MARY
>> OH, IT -- IT -- >> Reporter: FINALLY OPENING UP
ABOUT THESE FEELING YOU'RE HAVING
>> IT WAS. IT WAS TOUGH
IT DEFINITELY WAS TOUGH. >> Reporter: BUT IT MUST'VE BEEN
NAGGING AT YOU SO HARD THAT YOU JUST HAD TO?
>> YES I THINK THAT THAT'S HOW I FELT
LIKE, NOBODY'S DOING ANYTHING FOR LESLIE
AND I'M -- AM I GONNA JUST SIT BACK AND LET THIS HAPPEN
OR IS THERE SOMEBODY THAT CAN HELP ME UNDERSTAND THIS AND AND
KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS
>> Reporter: TO SAY MARY WAS SKEPTICAL WOULD BE AN
UNDERSTATEMENT 20-PLUS YEARS OF CRIMINAL
JUSTICE EXPERIENCE TOLD HER TERRI WAS PROBABLY WAY OFF BASE.
>> I HAD FAITH IN THE SYSTEM AND THAT I KNEW THERE HAD -- HAD TO
HAVE BEEN SOME INVESTIGATION CONCERNING THE DEATH
AND IF THERE WAS ANYTHING, THEN IT WOULD HAVE COME OUT
THERE -- THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SOME NEWS ABOUT IT
AND THERE HAD BEEN NOTHING I THOUGHT, "I'M NOT SURE WHY
YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT THIS RIGHT NOW.
>> Reporter: I WOULD IMAGINE MOST PEOPLE WOULD SAY, "COME ON,
NO, IT'S BOB SHE FELL IN THE SHOWER
LEAVE IT ALONE." >> RIGHT, AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH
WHAT I SAID. >> Reporter: PLUS SHE KNEW FROM
HER OWN RECENT FALL JUST HOW EASILY ACCIDENTS CAN HAPPEN.
>> IT HAPPENED TO ME I FELL
WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT I WOULD GET SO SICK?
IT'S VERY, VERY SAD. BUT THINGS DO HAPPEN
>> Reporter: STILL, HER TRAINING TOLD HER IT WAS IMPORTANT TO
HEAR TERRI OUT >> WHEN I WAS MEDICAL EXAMINER,
I WOULD HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS COMING IN TO TELL ME ABOUT WHAT
THEY THOUGHT ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH
AND I ALWAYS TOOK THOSE VISITS VERY SERIOUSLY
YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER WHAT SOMEONE'S SAYING, WHETHER OR NOT
THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY'RE SAYING, OR WHETHER OR NOT THEY
HAVE THE FORENSIC DETAIL >> Reporter: SO MARY LISTENED
INTENTLY AS TERRI DESCRIBED THE BLOOD SHE SAW IN THE BEDROOM
IN THE END, MARY DIDN'T FEEL ALARMED AT ALL
>> NOTHING STRUCK ME THAT I NEEDED TO MAKE SOMEONE AWARE OF
THESE CONCERNS >> I THOUGHT MAYBE SHE WAS
RIGHT. YOU KNOW, AND -- AND MAYBE I AM
JUMPIN' TO THE WRONG CONCLUSION. >> Reporter: STILL, GIVEN HOW
DISTURBED TERRI SEEMED TO BE, MARY OFFERED HER A SUGGESTION.
>> I SAID, "YOU SHOULD GO TO THE POLICE AND MAKE STATEMENTS IF
YOU HAVE ALL OF THESE CONCERNS YOU REALLY NEED TO JUST TELL
SOMEONE OFFICIALLY WHAT YOUR CONCERNS ARE, BECAUSE TELLING ME
IN THIS INFORMAL MANNER IS -- I -- I DON'T THINK YOU'RE GONNA
GET PAST IT. >> Reporter: DID YOU FEEL LIKE,
BY GOING TO THE POLICE, THIS WILL PUT AN END TO IT --
>> YES >> Reporter: -- AND WE CAN CLEAR
THE AIR AND MOVE ON? >> YES, I DID.
>>> COMING UP -- >> TWO DAYS AFTER HER DEATH, AN
INVESTIGATOR RECEIVED AN ANONYMOUS LETTER REGARDING THIS
CASE >> Reporter: WHAT'S IN THE
LETTER >> SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR
PERSONAL LIFE. >> DID THIS LETTER WRITER HAVE
SECRETS TO REVEAL? >> Reporter: IS YOUR DETECTIVE
SENSE STARTING TO TINGLE A LITTLE BIT
>> WELL, YEAH, IT IS >> Reporter: IN THE WEEKS AFTER
LESLIE NEULANDER'S DEATH, TERRI BARR FOUND HERSELF
INCREASINGLY ANGRY HER FRIEND LESLIE WAS TOO
LIVELY, TOO YOUNG TO BE GONE >> I FELT ROBBED
>> Reporter: WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT, AS FAR AS WHAT YOU WERE
GONNA MISS OUT ON WITH YOUR FRIEND
>> JUST BEING ABLE TO RUN THINGS BY HER
>> Reporter: NOT BEING ABLE TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL YOUR
FRIEND - >> SURE.
DEFINITELY >> Reporter: -- TO TALK ABOUT
ALL THE THINGS YOU WOULD HAVE -- >> THE FINALITY --
>> Reporter: -- TALKED ABOUT >> -- OF IT ALL.
UH-HUH >> Reporter: THERE WAS -- THERE
WAS NO GOOD-BYE. >> YES
AND I THINK THERE'S NO GOOD-BYE IN A VERY TRAGIC WAY
>> Reporter: AND SHE WASN'T UPSET JUST FOR HERSELF, BUT FOR
LESLIE, TOO. ALL THOSE SUNSET MILESTONES HER
FRIEND WOULD NEVER GET TO EXPERIENCE
>> SEEING JENNA GET MARRIED AND SEEING HER -- HER KIDS GROW UP
AND HAVE THEIR OWN FAMILIES. I THINK THAT WAS HUGE.
DEFINITELY SHE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THOSE
TIMES. >> Reporter: HER FRIEND MARY,
THE TRAINED MEDICAL EXAMINER, HAD DISMISSED TERRI'S
SUSPICIONS BUT TERRI WAS MEDICALLY TRAINED
HERSELF. AND AS BOB'S NURSE WHO'D WORKED
ALONGSIDE HIM FOR YEARS, SOMETHING NAGGED AT HER.
BOB'S DECISION TO MOVE LESLIE TO THE BEDROOM FOR CPR.
>> BOB WAS VERY GOOD IN AN EMERGENCY.
AND IT IS INSTINCT, FAMILY OR NOT, TO KICK INTO SAVING MODE.
AND WE ALL KNOW NOT TO MOVE A BODY
>> Reporter: TERRI FELT CERTAIN THAT BOB WAS HIDING SOMETHING.
AND THOUGH SHE TRIED NOT TO THINK ABOUT IT, SHE BEGAN TO
FEAR THAT SOMETHING SINISTER HAD HAPPENED, THAT MAYBE
DR. NEULANDER HAD KILLED HIS WIFE
>> I WAS JUST CRUSHED FOR HER. I WAS JUST VERY CRUSHED THAT YOU
THINK YOU CAN, YOU KNOW, TRUST SOMEBODY AND -- AND THEY'RE NOT
WHO YOU THINK THEY ARE AND HOW -- HOW AWFUL THAT
MUST'VE BEEN FOR HER >> Reporter: BUT WITH THE
COMMUNITY RALLYING AROUND THE DOCTOR, TERRI MOSTLY KEPT THOSE
THOUGHTS TO HERSELF. DID FRIENDS AND FAMILY SEE BOB
AS THE GRIEVING HUSBAND? >> YES, THEY DEFINITELY DID.
I THINK DEFINITELY HE HAD A LOT OF SUPPORT
>> Reporter: A FEW MONTHS AFTER LESLIE'S DEATH, TERRI STILL
HADN'T TAKEN THE ADVICE TO GO SPEAK TO THE POLICE.
THEN SHE FOUND HERSELF UNEXPECTEDLY FACE-TO-FACE WITH
AN OFFICER >> IT JUST HAPPENED
COINCIDENTALLY THAT A POLICE OFFICER CAME INTO AN OFFICE THAT
I WAS WORKING IN AND I ASKED HIM A COUPLE
QUESTIONS. AND HE SAID, "I THINK YOU NEED
TO, YOU KNOW, HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH MY PARTNER."
>> Reporter: WAS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR THAT THE FAMILY WOULD FIND
OUT YOU -- >> YES
>> Reporter: -- WENT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT?
>> YES IT WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE.
THAT WOULD BE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE.
YES. >> Reporter: TO AVOID BEING SEEN
AT THE POLICE STATION, TERRI ARRANGED FOR A DETECTIVE TO COME
TO HER HOUSE HIS NAME IS SCOTT KAPRAL
HE IS THE DETECTIVE WHO WAS AT THE SCENE THAT MORNING WITH
SERGEANT NORTON, THE RESPONDING OFFICER.
>> I PERSONALLY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF WOUNDS OVER THE 22 YEARS OF
MY CAREER FROM FALLS AND NOT FROM FALLS
AND I'VE NEVER SEEN A WOUND THAT BAD.
>> Reporter: BUT LIKE THE SERGEANT, HE DEFERRED TO THE
MEDICAL EXAMINER >> WE'RE DEALING WITH DIFFERENT
EXPERTS IN THE FIELD AND HE IS AN EXPERT.
AND WE RESPECT HIM >> Reporter: AND I GUESS EVERY
FALL IS DIFFERENT. >> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> Reporter: TERRI TOLD THE DETECTIVE HOW TORTURED SHE'D
BEEN OVER LESLIE'S DEATH >> I SAID TO SCOTT, "MY LIFE IS
LIVING 'DATELINE.' THAT'S WHAT I FEEL LIKE I'M
LIVING AND THIS NEEDS TO, YOU KNOW,
COME TO A CONCLUSION >> Reporter: THE DETECTIVE
COULDN'T SHARE DETAILS WITH TERRI, BUT IT TURNS OUT THE CASE
WAS NOT COMPLETELY CLOSED. AND DESPITE ALL THE PUBLIC
SUPPORT AND SYMPATHY FOR DR. NEULANDER, SHE WASN'T THE
FIRST PERSON TO EXPRESS DOUBTS ABOUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO
LESLIE >> WE STARTED TO HEAR SOME --
JUST SOME COMMENTS COMING IN FROM THE COMMUNITY
NOTHING THAT WE WENT OUT AND SOLICITED.
BUT IT WAS, YOU KNOW, VIA OTHER POLICE OFFICERS THAT MAY HAVE
SEEN SOMEONE ELSE. >> Reporter: THE D.A.'S OFFICE
HAD ALSO RECEIVED A LETTER >> TWO DAYS AFTER HER DEATH ,
WE'RE CONTACTED BY AN INVESTIGATOR FROM THE DISTRICT
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WHO ADVISES US THAT THEY RECEIVED AN ANONYMOUS
LETTER REGARDING THIS CASE >> Reporter: WHAT IS IN THE
LETTER AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE
CASE >> THE LETTER BASICALLY OUTLINED
SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL LIFE ENOUGH THAT WE
WERE CLEAR THAT WHOEVER WROTE THE ANONYMOUS LETTER FELT THAT
WE SHOULD CONTINUE LOOKING AT IT
>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE LETTER, THIS WEALTHY POWER
COUPLE WAS HAVING FINANCIAL PROBLEMS
POLICE WANTED TO SPEAK TO WHOEVER WROTE IT
WERE THERE ANY CLUES IN THE LETTER
DID IT SOUND LIKE IT WAS MAYBE FROM A FAMILY FRIEND, A
RELATIVE >> OBVIOUSLY THE -- THE LETTER
WAS WRITTEN BY SOMEONE THAT HAD SOME SORT OF KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR
LIFE IT WAS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING
SOMEONE DIDN'T MAKE UP >> Reporter: TRY AS THEY MIGHT,
THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHO WROTE THE LETTER
BUT NOW THE DETECTIVE WAS SITTING ACROSS FROM SOMEONE WHO
KNEW THE NEULANDERS WELL TERRI CONFIRMED THAT DESPITE THE
BEAUTIFUL HOME, BOB AND LESLIE HAD TAKEN A BIG FINANCIAL HIT.
A BILLING DISPUTE HAD CAUSED THE AREA'S LARGEST HEALTH INSURER TO
DROP BOB'S MEDICAL PRACTICE. TERRI, WHO WAS WORKING FOR HIM
AT THE TIME, SAW THE STORM COMING
>> I SAID, YOU KNOW, "IF YOU LOSE YOUR BLUE CROSS AND BLUE
SHIELD PATIENTS, THAT'S A THIRD OF OUR PRACTICE.
AND THAT MEANS LAYOFFS." SO HE SAID THAT I WAS THE ONLY
PERSON THAT HAD PERCEIVED THAT AND THAT'S JUST WHAT HAPPENED.
>> Reporter: DR. NEULANDER HAD TO LET TERRI AND SEVERAL OTHERS
GO >> I THINK HE GENUINELY FELT BAD
AND HOPED THAT THINGS WOULD CHANGE, YOU KNOW
AND I DID COME BACK BRIEFLY. THERE WAS AN INFLUX OF SOME NEW
PATIENTS SO HE DID CALL ME AND ASK ME TO
COME BACK BRIEFLY. AND I DID.
AND THEN I WAS AGAIN LAID OFF. >> Reporter: WAS THAT KINDA THE
BEGINNING OF THE END FOR HIS PRACTICE
>> YES, DEFINITELY >> Reporter: ONE OF THE PATIENTS
WHO LEFT HIS PRACTICE DURING THE INSURANCE DISPUTE WAS THE WIFE
OF RESPONDING OFFICER SERGEANT NORTON.
>> WHEN HE LOST HIS CONTRACT WITH BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD, SHE
WAS FORCED TO FIND A DIFFERENT PHYSICIAN.
>> Reporter: DID -- WAS SHE KINDA DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THAT?
>> YES, SHE WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED
>> Reporter: SHE LIKED GOING TO HIM.
>> YES SHE THOUGHT THAT HE -- HE WAS A
GOOD PHYSICIAN >> Reporter: SO THE NEULANDERS
HAD MONEY TROUBLE. IS YOUR DETECTIVE SENSE STARTING
TO TINGLE A LITTLE BIT THAT -- >> WELL, YEAH.
IT -- IT IS. BUT, AGAIN, WE FOLLOW PROTOCOL
>> Reporter: AND ACCORDING TO THE M.E, LESLIE'S DEATH WAS AN
ACCIDENT >> HE IS THE EXPERT IN HIS
FIELD. AND WE RELY ON HIM
IF HE EXPLAINS TO US THAT THIS IS THE SITUATION THAT IT LOOKS
LIKE TO HIM, THEN -- THEN WE HAVE TO GO WITH THAT
>> Reporter: IF ONLY THERE WAS SOMEONE ELSE IN TOWN WHO COULD
OFFER A SECOND OPINION PERHAPS IT WAS TIME TO CONSULT A
CERTAIN RETIRED MEDICAL EXAMINER
>>> COMING UP -- >> Reporter: YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T
WANT TO BELIEVE THAT THIS WASN'T AN ACCIDENT?
>> I DIDN'T. I DIDN'T WANT TO BELIEVE THAT.
>> A NEW LOOK AT LESLIE'S FINAL MOMENTS.
>> Reporter: DID YOU FEEL LIKE LESLIE WAS TALKING TO YOU FROM
THE GRAVE? >> YES, SHE'S TELLING ME WHAT
>> Reporter: LESLIE'S FRIEND TERRI HAD SUSPICIONS ABOUT
BOB NEULANDER. AND NOW THAT SHE'D SPOKEN WITH
POLICE, SHE WAS DOING HER BEST TO AVOID HIM AROUND TOWN
SHE HAD A CLOSE CALL WHEN THEY NEARLY BUMPED SHOPPING CARTS AT
THE SUPERMARKET. DID YOU JUST MAKE A BEELINE --
>> YEAH. >> Reporter: -- IN THE OTHER
DIRECTION -- [ LAUGHTER ]
>> AND ABSOLUTELY. >> Reporter: -- WITH YOUR CART
>> LIKE, WHY DOES A MAN WHO'S NEVER SHOPPED A DAY IN HIS LIFE
OR COOKED A MEAL IN HIS LIFE SHOW UP AT WEGMANS AT NOON WHEN
EVERYBODY ELSE IS THERE? >> Reporter: TERRI THOUGHT BOB
WAS MAKING AN EFFORT TO APPEAR AS THOUGH EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL.
THEN ONE DAY, ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER LESLIE'S DEATH, TERRI'S
PHONE RANG IT WAS BOB
>> I WAS QUITE SURPRISED I MEAN, HE -
>> Reporter: WHAT DID HE WANT? >> HE JUST SAID HE WAS REACHIN'
OUT TO FRIENDS AND CATCHIN' UP WITH PEOPLE.
SINCE LESLIE DIED, HE'S BEEN SO DISTRAUGHT AND JUST WANTED TO
SEE WHAT PEOPLE WERE UP TO AND I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY
UNUSUAL. HE'D NEVER CALLED ME BEFORE.
>> Reporter: DID YOU AGAIN HAVE TO GO INTO ACTRESS MODE AND
PRETEND LIKE EVERYTHING WAS OKAY
>> ABSOLUTELY, I DID YES.
>> Reporter: HOW HARD WAS THAT >> IT'S VERY HARD.
'CAUSE YOU'RE JUST TRYING TO BE YOURSELF, AND YOU'RE NOT USED TO
BEIN' IN THAT ROLE >> Reporter: MARY JUMBELIC GOT A
CATCH-UP PHONE CALL, TOO BUT UNLIKE TERRI, MARY WELCOMED
THE CALL SHE AND HER HUSBAND HADN'T HEARD
FROM BOB SINCE THAT NIGHT OF MOURNING AT HIS HOUSE.
>> MY HUSBAND AND HE CHATTED I DIDN'T GET ON THE PHONE.
"SORRY I HAVEN'T CALLED. I'VE BEEN OUT OF TOUCH
I'M GONNA GO VISIT MY DAUGHTER WHO IS STUDYING IN ISRAEL.
YOU KNOW, JUST A CASUAL, LIGHT CONVERSATION
>> Reporter: MARY KNEW ALL ABOUT TERRI'S SUSPICIONS ABOUT BOB
BUT SHE THOUGHT MAYBE TERRI HAD BEEN WATCHING TOO MANY CRIME
SHOWS. >> WELL, IT IS TRUE THAT MY
FIELD HAS GOTTEN VERY POPULARIZED IN MEDIA
AND SO EVERYONE THINKS THEY HAVE A LITTLE PIECE OF IT AND THEY
ARE THEIR OWN INVESTIGATORS. >> Reporter: YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T
WANNA BELIEVE THAT THIS WASN'T AN ACCIDENT?
>> I DIDN'T. I DIDN'T WANT TO BELIEVE THAT.
>> Reporter: BUT NOW, AFTER THIS THIS PHONE CALL, MARY FOUND
HERSELF WONDERING FOR THE FIRST TIME
WAS THERE SOMETHING SPECIFIC HE SAID ON THAT CALL THAT BOTHERED
YOU? >> I THINK IT WAS JUST HIS TONE.
>> Reporter: WHAT WAS WITH HIS TONE
>> THAT, "I'M SORRY I'VE BEEN OUT OF TOUCH
I'M GONNA BE OUT OF TOUCH AGAIN. I'M LEAVING.
BUT I JUST WANNA CALL YOU AND SAY HI."
IT FELT ODD. >> Reporter: THIS BUSINESS OF
LEAVING THE COUNTRY TROUBLED HER, TOO
OFF TO ISRAEL TO SEE JENNA WHY DID THAT CONCERN YOU
>> WELL, IF IT HAPPENED THAT THIS WASN'T SIMPLY AN ACCIDENT,
THEN THAT WOULD RAISE CONCERN. >> Reporter: THAT HE COULD JUST
BE GONE? >> RIGHT
>> Reporter: AND MAYBE NEVER RETURN
>> RIGHT >> Reporter: WAS SOMETHING
NAGGING AT YOU AT THIS POINT >> IT WAS.
I DON'T KNOW I HAD NOTHING OTHER THAN THE
FRIENDS' CONCERNS. I JUST THOUGHT, "I JUST NEED TO
HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH BILL FITZPATRICK."
>> Reporter: BILL FITZPATRICK IS THE ONONDAGA COUNTY DISTRICT
ATTORNEY AND A COLLEAGUE OF MARY'S UNTIL SHE RETIRED AS
MEDICAL EXAMINER A FEW YEARS EARLIER.
>> I THOUGHT I SHOULD JUST CLOSE THE LOOP WITH THE INFORMATION
AND JUST CALL THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
>> Reporter: WHAT DOES SHE TELL YOU?
>> SHE SAID, "YOU KNOW, LOOK I JUST SAW THEM.
THEY CAME TO SEE ME WITH THE FAMILY."
THAT'S HOW CLOSE THEY WERE AND SHE SAYS, "LOOK, I -- I -- I
JUST WANNA PUT THE RUMORS TO BED.
PEOPLE ARE TALKING THEY'RE GOSSIPING.
>> Reporter: WHAT WAS HIS RESPONSE
>> HIS RESPONSE WAS, "WOULD YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE CASE?
>> Reporter: DID THAT SURPRISE YOU?
>> YES >> Reporter: YOU'RE FRIENDS WITH
THE VICTIM >> YES
>> Reporter: AND HER HUSBAND >> YES
>> Reporter: DID THAT FEEL ODD AT ALL
>> OF COURSE IT DID. IT TOOK ME A MOMENT TO ANSWER
THE QUESTION I HAD TO THINK IF I SHOULD OR
COULD OR WOULD DO THIS AND I THOUGHT, "WELL, YES, I DO
KNOW THEM BOTH BUT IF THERE IS A WAY TO ANSWER
THIS, IF THERE'S A WAY TO ALLAY THESE CONCERNS, THEN PERHAPS I'M
THE BEST PERSON TO DO THAT." >> WELL, I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT
FOR MARY WE WORKED TOGETHER FOR TEN
YEARS. >> Reporter: THE FILES WERE
BROUGHT TO MARY'S HOME FOR HER REVIEW
I'M SURE YOU JUST DOVE RIGHT IN? >> WELL, THERE'S A PROCESS
YOU LOOK AT EVERYTHING YOU CONSIDER THE SCENE
YOU CONSIDER THE AUTOPSY FINDINGS
YOU LOOK AT THE STATEMENTS YOU WEIGH IT ALL IN AND -- AND
COME TO A SCIENTIFIC CONCLUSION. >> Reporter: MARY COULD SEE HOW
THE MEDICAL EXAMINER DREW HIS CONCLUSIONS THAT LESLIE'S DEATH
WAS A SLIP AND FALL. >> HE SAW SOME FINDINGS IN THE
BRAIN THAT HE ATTRIBUTED TO A FALL
AND HE LATCHED ONTO THAT FINDING AND FELT THAT THAT EXPLAINED HER
STORY AS PORTRAYED BY BOB. >> Reporter: MARY TOOK IT ALL
IN -- THE CRIME SCENE PHOTOS, THE M.E.'S REPORT.
SHE ABSORBED EVERY DETAIL AS SHE IMMERSED HERSELF IN THE FINAL
MOMENTS OF HER DEAR FRIEND'S LIFE
DID YOU FEEL LIKE LESLIE WAS TALKING TO YOU FROM THE GRAVE AS
YOU'RE LOOKING AT THIS REPORT? >> YES, SHE'S TELLING ME WHAT
HAPPENED YES.
>> Reporter: AND WHAT LESLIE WAS TELLING HER WAS DEVASTATING.
LIKE LESLIE'S INJURIES THERE WERE MORE THAN JUST THAT
GASH ON HER HEAD >> SHE HAD LARGE, FIVE-INCH
WOUND ON THE SIDE OF HER SCALP, WITH INJURIES ON MULTIPLE SIDES
OF HER FACE. IT WAS A PATTERN OF THE INJURIES
THAT'S NOT EXPLAINED BY THE STORY.
SO IN FORENSIC PARLANCE, THAT'S A RED FLAG
>> Reporter: MARY WAS ALSO ALARMED BY THE CRIME SCENE
PHOTOS, WHICH SHOWED BLOOD IN LESLIE'S BEDROOM
IT WASN'T JUST POOLS IN THE CARPET
THERE WAS BLOOD SPATTER AT LESLIE'S BEDSIDE, ON HER LAMP,
THE WATER BOTTLES, EVEN UP ON THE WALL
THERE WERE A LOT OF THINGS THAT WEREN'T ADDING UP FOR YOU?
>> THERE WERE VERY SIGNIFICANT THINGS, YES.
>> Reporter: SHE WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A PHONE CALL THAT WOULD
CHANGE THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATION.
>>> COMING UP -- ANOTHER FRIEND OF LESLIE'S STEPS
FORWARD WITH A SURPRISING REVELATION
>> SHE TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE GONNA GET A DIVORCE.
SHE WAS LOOKING FOR A NEW PLACE, AND SHE WAS VERY EXCITED
>> Reporter: MARY JUMBELIC, THE RETIRED M.E., HAD LOOKED AT THE
ENTIRE CASE FILE ABOUT HER FRIEND LESLIE'S DEATH AND HAD
COME TO A STARTLING CONCLUSION >> LESLIE WAS MURDERED
SHE DIED AS A RESULT OF BLUNT HEAD TRAUMA, AND THE MANNER WAS
HOMICIDE >> Reporter: SCIENCE ASIDE,
THOUGH, THIS IS YOUR FRIEND. >> YES
IT WAS UPSETTING AND I KNEW IT COULD ONLY GET
MORE UPSETTING BECAUSE THE PROFESSIONAL SIDE OF ME CAME TO
A CONCLUSION THAT I SUPPORTED SCIENTIFICALLY
BUT THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT EASY, AND IT DIDN'T MAKE IT BETTER
BUT I NEVER COULD BE CONCERNED FOR THAT BECAUSE I SPEAK FOR THE
DEAD PERSON. THAT'S WHAT I DID MY WHOLE LIFE.
SO THEY'RE MY PATIENT. THEY'RE WHO I TAKE CARE OF, AND
THEY'RE WHO I SPEAK FOR. IT
>> Reporter: YOUR PART IN ALL THIS ALMOST READS LIKE A NOVEL
>> WELL, IT'S NOT FICTION, AND TRUTH IS OFTEN STRANGER AND MORE
PAINFUL THAN FICTION COULD EVER BE
>> Reporter: SHE IMMEDIATELY CALLED D.A. FITZPATRICK.
>> SHE SAYS TO ME, "THIS IS A HOMICIDE."
AND I WAS STUNNED. >> Reporter: NOW, OF COURSE,
D.A BILL FITZPATRICK HAD TWO CONFLICTING PROFESSIONAL
OPINIONS TO CONTEND WITH MARY'S AND THE CURRENT M.E.'S
WHO'D RULED LESLIE'S MANNER OF DEATH AN ACCIDENT.
YOU NEED TO NOW GO TALK TO HIM AND SAY, "I THINK YOU'RE WRONG"?
>> YEAH. I SAID, "I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO
REEXAMINE YOUR OPINION AS TO THE CAUSE OF DEATH
I'M JUST ASKING YOU TO RECONSIDER MANNER OF DEATH."
>> Reporter: FITZPATRICK ARRANGED A MEETING, INVITING THE
CURRENT M.E. AS WELL AS A GROUP OF OTHER PROMINENT PATHOLOGISTS
TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS THE CASE AND THE OPINIONS OF THOSE OTHER
PATHOLOGISTS MATCHED MARY'S. IT LOOKED LIKE A HOMICIDE.
>> IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL IF I HAD BEEN WRONG.
I WISH I HAD BEEN WRONG. >> Reporter: BUT THE ONONDAGA
COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER HAD THE FINAL SAY.
AND HE HELD FAST LESLIE'S OFFICIAL MANNER OF
DEATH REMAINED AN ACCIDENT >> THE BUCK STOPS WITH ME.
ULTIMATELY THE MEDICAL EXAMINER CAN CALL IT WHATEVER HE OR SHE
WANTS. IT'S MY DECISION WHETHER OR NOT
TO GO FORWARD WITH A HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION.
>> Reporter: AND THAT'S WHERE THE CASE WAS HEADING
BEFORE LONG, WORD WAS OUT AROUND SYRACUSE
DR. BOB NEULANDER WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR HIS WIFE'S
DEATH. >> TOM ESCHEN JOINS US LIVE FROM
OUTSIDE THE DOCTOR'S HANOVER SQUARE APARTMENT
>> Reporter: ANCHOR MEGAN COLEMAN SAYS FEW COULD
BELIEVE IT >> THIS WAS THE BIGGEST STUNNER
THAT WE HAD SEEN IN A VERY LONG TIME IN THIS COMMUNITY
AND FOR ME PERSONALLY, BECAUSE THEY HAD BEEN IN MY HOME, WHAT,
FOUR MONTHS BEFORE SHE HAD DIED. I THOUGHT, "THIS CAN'T BE
HAPPENING. HE SEEMED JUST LIKE ANY OTHER
DAD, ANY OTHER HUSBAND >> Reporter: DR. NEULANDER'S
FAMILY WAS IN HIS CORNER AND HE WAS FIGHTING BACK IN THE
PRESS THROUGH HIS ATTORNEY >> THIS HAS BEEN AN OPEN SECRET
AND A SUBJECT OF GOSSIP AND IRRESPONSIBLE RUMOR NOW FOR
MONTHS DR. NEULANDER HAS NOT BEEN
CHARGED WITH ANY KIND OF OFFENSE.
>> HE SPOKE OUT AND WAS ADAMANT. "THESE ARE LUDICROUS
ALLEGATIONS. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS
HE IS THE MOST HONEST PERSON I'VE EVER MET.
>> Reporter: FOR DETECTIVES, A BENEFIT OF THE COVERAGE WAS THAT
IT ENCOURAGED ANYONE WITH INFORMATION TO COME FORWARD.
>> YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO GET INVOLVED,
EVEN IF IT'S A BAD SITUATION >> Reporter: SOMEONE WHO DID WAS
LESLIE'S FRIEND FROM STARBUCKS, NEVIN ROBI
>> IT REALLY WASN'T TILL I READ A NEWS STORY WHERE IT GOT
CHANGED FROM THIS TO AN ACTUAL INVESTIGATION.
AND THAT'S WHEN, YOU KNOW, I DID, YOU KNOW, GO UP TO THE
POLICE AND SIT AND TALK WITH THEM
>> Reporter: HE WALKED DETECTIVES THROUGH HIS STORY
FROM THE BEGINNING HOW HE'D MET LESLIE BY CHANCE
EARLIER THAT YEAR. ALTHOUGH THEY WERE YEARS APART
IN AGE, THE TWO BECAME FAST FRIENDS.
>> MAYBE TWICE, THREE TIMES A WEEK, YOU KNOW, WE'D HAVE, LIKE,
LUNCH BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I'D BE WORKING.
SHE'D BE LIKE, "HEY, I'M STOPPING IN THE MALL."
>> Reporter: NEVIN SAYS THEIR CONVERSATIONS WERE LIGHT AT
FIRST -- THINGS GOING ON IN TOWN, THE LATEST NEWS.
BUT OVER TIME THEY GREW MORE PERSONAL
HE SAYS THE FACT THAT THEY WERE STRANGERS IN EACH OTHERS LIVES
MADE IT FEEL SAFE. >> I COULD ASK HER THINGS ABOUT
THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN MY LIFE THAT I'M GONNA GET A REAL
100% RESPONSE AND I DON'T HAVE TO FEEL WORRIED ABOUT IT, AND
VICE VERSA WHO AM I
I'M A NOBODY REALLY IN HER WORLD.
AND SAME THING WITH -- WITH HER. >> Reporter: IT WAS EASY FOR HER
TO OPEN UP TO YOU. >> ABSOLUTELY.
THERE'S NO JUDGMENT. AND THAT WAS REALLY, I THINK FOR
BOTH OF US -- REALLY IT WAS, YOU KNOW
IT WAS NICE TO HAVE THAT >> Reporter: NEVIN TOLD
INVESTIGATORS LESLIE'S HUSBAND WASN'T A REGULAR TOPIC OF
CONVERSATION BUT HE GOT THE IMPRESSION THAT
THEIR MARRIAGE WAS NOT A HAPPY ONE.
WHAT WERE THE POSITIVE THINGS SHE HAD TO SAY ABOUT BOB
>> SHE NEVER SAID REALLY ANYTHING POSITIVE ABOUT BOB.
>> Reporter: NOTHING >> THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HER
AND HER MARRIAGE WERE ALWAYS, LIKE, LITTLE CRUMBS.
>> Reporter: BUT NEVIN SAYS THERE WAS SOMETHING SPECIFIC IN
ALL THOSE CRUMBS, THOUGH LESLIE DIDN'T DWELL ON IT
>> IT SOUNDED LIKE HE HAD BEEN CHEATING ON HER THROUGHOUT THE
MARRIAGE >> Reporter: BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T
TALK MUCH ABOUT BOB, NEVIN WAS SURPRISED WHEN, AFTER KNOWING
EACH OTHER FOR JUST A FEW MONTHS, LESLIE'S HUSBAND SENT
HIM A TEXT >> "WHO ARE YOU?
YOU KNOW, AND, "WHAT ARE YOU GUYS TALKING ABOUT?"
YOU KNOW, "WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING?
AND STUFF LIKE THAT. AND I JUST RESPONDED VERY
SIMPLY I WAS LIKE, "WE'RE HAVING
LUNCHES. SHE'S MY FRIEND.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THINGS, LIFE, MY LIFE, HER LIFE, WHAT'S
GOING ON IN HER WORLD. I MEAN, IT'S -
>> Reporter: DID HE GET HOSTILE AT ALL
>> HE ONLY GOT HOSTILE AT THE END.
"MY WIFE AND I ARE HAVING, LIKE, MARITAL ISSUES AND STUFF LIKE
THAT AND I'M GLAD YOU'RE, LIKE --
YOU'RE HER FRIEND. BUT, YOU KNOW, PLEASE STAY OUT
OF OUR MARRIAGE STUFF. >> Reporter: NEVIN TOLD POLICE
HE ISN'T SURE IF LESLIE TOLD BOB ABOUT THEIR FRIENDSHIP OF IF BOB
HAD SNOOPED IN HER PHONE EITHER WAY, HE INSISTS THEY WERE
NEVER MORE THAN FRIENDS. DO YOU THINK THOUGH, FROM THE
HUSBAND'S PERSPECTIVE, THAT HE COULD HAVE PERCEIVED IT AS
SOMETHING MORE, POTENTIALLY? >> I THINK ANYONE CAN PERCEIVE
ANYTHING ON ANY TOPIC REALLY >> Reporter: SO SHE NEVER SAID
TO YOU, "OH, BOB KNOWS ABOUT US AND"--
>> WELL, THERE'S - >> Reporter: -- "HE'S" -
>> THERE'S NOTHING TO KNOW ABOUT US REALLY, YOU KNOW.
I MEAN - >> Reporter: WELL, THAT WE'RE
FRIENDS. >> HAS -- YEAH, I MEAN, SHE HAS
100-SOMETHING MILLION FRIENDS IN SYRACUSE
>> Reporter: I MEAN, MY -- MY HUSBAND, IF I'M HAVING LUNCHES
WITH A GUY WHO'S A LOT YOUNGER, HE'LL -- HE -- HE'D WANNA KNOW
ABOUT IT >> THAT'S TRUE
BUT I'M NO BRAD PITT [ LAUGHTER ]
>> Reporter: YOU'RE -- YOU'RE AN ATTRACTIVE GUY
AGAIN, MUCH YOUNGER GUY. I WOULD THINK THAT -- THAT BOB
WOULD WANNA KNOW THAT YOU'RE IN HIS WIFE'S WORLD
>> RIGHT AGAIN, YOU'D HAVE TO ASK BOB
I -- I HAVE NO IDEA IT -- WHAT -- WHAT HE DOES OR DOES NOT
KNOW >> Reporter: EVEN AFTER BOB HAD
TEXTED HIM, TELLING HIM TO STAY OUT OF THEIR MARRIAGE, NEVIN
SAYS LESLIE MET HIM FOR ANOTHER LUNCH.
SHE SHARED SOME NEWS SHE AND BOB WERE SPLITTING UP.
IT WAS JUST DAYS BEFORE LESLIE DIED
>> SHE TOLD ME THAT THEY BOTH SAT DOWN AND TOLD ALL THE KIDS,
THE WHOLE FAMILY, THAT THEY WERE GONNA GET A DIVORCE.
SHE WAS LOOKING FOR A NEW PLACE. THE LAST CONVERSATION SHE SAID
SHE PUT DOWN A DEPOSIT BUT WAS WAITING FOR, LIKE, A CREDIT
CHECK OR SOMETHING TO THIS EFFECT
AND SHE WAS VERY EXCITED >> Reporter: IT WAS A
TANTALIZING PIECE OF INFORMATION FOR THE DETECTIVES
>> WE HAD MULTIPLE ACQUAINTANCES AND FRIENDS AND CLOSE FRIENDS OF
HERS EXPLAIN TO US THAT SHE WAS MOST CERTAINLY READY TO MOVE ON
AND DIVORCE. >> Reporter: ONE OF THOSE
FRIENDS WAS TERRI. SHE DIDN'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT IT,
MANY THINGS THAT MADE HER SUSPICIOUS ABOUT BOB FROM THE
START. >> SHE TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE
SEPARATING AND THAT SHE WOULD -- WE WERE GONNA MEET FOR COFFEE
AND TALK LATER IN THE UPCOMING WEEK
>> Reporter: WAS THIS A TOTAL SURPRISE TO YOU?
>> UM, YEAH. IT WAS A SURPRISE TO ME.
I JUST ASKED HER IF YOU'RE -- "ARE YOU OKAY?
AND SHE SAID, "YES, IT'S -- IT'S FINE, TERRI.
IT'S OKAY. AND I'LL FILL YOU IN
LET'S WAIT UNTIL TUESDAY, AND WE'LL GET TOGETHER TUESDAY."
>> Reporter: BUT TERRI NEVER LEARNED MORE ABOUT IT BECAUSE BY
TUESDAY, LESLIE WAS DEAD FOR THE DETECTIVES, THE
SUGGESTIVE STORIES ABOUT BOB WERE ADDING UP
BUT THEY WEREN'T HARD EVIDENCE INVESTIGATORS HAD JUST BEEN
GIVEN A LOOK INSIDE THE NEULANDERS MARRIAGE.
NOW THEY NEEDED ANOTHER LOOK INSIDE THE HOUSE
>>> COMING UP -- >> IT WAS STRANGE.
IT LOOKED LIKE THE SHOWER HADN'T BEEN TOUCHED FROM THAT DAY
>> A RETURN TO THE SCENE YIELDS STUNNING NEW EVIDENCE.
>> I'M STARING AT THE HEADBOARD, AND I SHINED MY FLASHLIGHT ON
IT AND I'M LIKE, "YOU'RE NOT GONNA
>> Reporter: DR. BOB NEULANDER MAY HAVE BEEN UNDER
INVESTIGATION FOR HIS WIFE'S DEATH BUT HE WASN'T ACTING LIKE
IT HE WAS OUT AND ABOUT, GROCERY
SHOPPING, EATING AT RESTAURANTS, GOING TO TEMPLE WITH HIS FAMILY.
MEGAN COLEMAN WENT TO THE SAME SYNAGOGUE.
>> AND I REMEMBER SITTING SEVERAL ROWS BACK FROM HIM
AND, YOU KNOW, SORT OF HAD THE CORNER OF MY EYE, YOU KNOW, SORT
OF WA -- I MEAN, YOU KNOW, THIS IS YOM KIPPUR.
IT'S THE DAY OF ATONEMENT. AND SO, YOU KNOW, YOU SORT OF
THINK THAT PERHAPS THIS DAY M -- MAY TAKE ON A LITTLE BIT MORE
MEANING -- FOR HIM SO I WAS SORT OF WATCHING AND
WONDERING, "WILL THERE BE ANY SORT OF -- REACTION OR VISIBLE
SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, THAT I COULD KINDA GLEAN FROM -- FROM
WATCHING HIM?" >> Reporter: MEGAN SAYS MANY IN
THE COMMUNITY STILL FELT SORRY FOR THE WIDOWER.
IT WAS HARD TO IMAGE THAT BOB WOULD HAVE HAD ANYTHING TO DO
WITH HIS WIFE'S DEATH. >> I THINK THAT THAT WAS ALSO
PART OF WHAT MADE IT SO DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO WRAP
THEIR HEAD AROUND WHAT WAS GOING ON BECAUSE THEY WERE SO GIVING
AND THEY WERE SO LOVING. >> Reporter: AS MONTHS PASSED
WITHOUT AN ARREST, LESLIE'S FRIEND TERRI WONDERED WHY THE
CASE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE GOING ANYWHERE
>> YOU JUST FEEL LIKE IT'S GONNA GO ON FOR YEARS, LIKE IT DOES IN
OTHER CASES. AND THIS JUST IS MAYBE NEVER
GONNA GET S -- SOLVED FOR A LONG TIME
>> Reporter: BUT BEHIND THE SCENES, INVESTIGATORS WERE STILL
WORKING. SOMETHING HIGH ON THEIR TO DO
LIST, RETURN TO THE MANSION ON SHALIMAR WAY
I WOULD IMAGINE THERE WERE PROBABLY THINGS YOU WANTED TO
LOOK AT THAT YOU COULDN'T THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE YOU HAD TO,
ESSENTIALLY, SHUT IT DOWN ONCE IT W -- THE -- THE DEATH WAS
RULED AN ACCIDENT. >> RIGHT
THAT'S RIGHT >> Reporter: IT SEEMED LIKE A
LONG SHOT THAT THEY WOULD FIND ANYTHING SIGNIFICANT
MANY MONTHS HAD PASSED AND THE HOUSE HAD BEEN SOLD.
BUT STILL DETECTIVES REACHED OUT TO THE NEW OWNER
>> THEY HADN'T MOVED IN, HE HADN'T TOUCHED ANYTHING IN THE
HOUSE AND HE SAID, "IF YOU NEED TO COME BACK, YOU'RE WELCOME TO
COME ON BACK IN AND TAKE A LOOK."
AND, SO, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, WE CERTAINLY ARE NEVER GONNA PASS
UP AN OFFER TO DO THAT >> Reporter: AND THEY WERE ABOUT
TO GET UNBELIEVABLY LUCKY. BECAUSE NOT ONLY HAD THE NEW
OWNER NOT YET MOVED IN, BUT IT APPEARED THE NEULANDERS HAD
HARDLY TOUCHED THE BEDROOM SINCE THE DAY LESLIE DIED.
>> YOU COULD TELL THAT THEY -- THEY TRIED TO CLEAN THE BLOOD
OUTTA THE FLOOR -- OUTTA THE CARPETING.
AND -- BUT YOU COULD STILL SEE THE OUTLINES, YOU COULD STILL
SEE THE STAINS >> IT LOOKED LIKE THE SHOWER
HADN'T BEEN TOUCHED FROM THAT DAY.
I MEAN, THERE WAS STILL -- WE -- WE WERE FINDING DRIED BLOOD IN
THE SHOWER AND -- >> Reporter: IT'S KINDA CREE --
>> HERE IT IS, MARCH >> Reporter: CREEPY?
>> IT WAS JUST -- IT WAS STRANGE.
I MEAN, THAT IT WAS NEVER CLEANED.
THE -- THE ACTUAL SHOWER WAS NEVER CLEANED.
>> Reporter: THE EVIDENCE TECHS TOOK MEASUREMENTS AND CARPET
SAMPLES. AND RECORDED BLOOD SPATTER ON
THE BLINDS AT ONE POINT, THE SERGEANT FOUND
HIMSELF STARING AT THE BUILT-IN BED FRAME.
THE MATTRESS WAS GONE BUT THE HEADBOARD WAS STILL THERE.
>> I'M STARIN' AT THIS HEADBOARD TO THIS BED WAS -- IT WAS LIKE A
BLACK FELT FABRIC WITH A PATTERN IN IT.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS THE LIGHT JUST CAUGHT IT THE RIGHT
WAY OR WHAT DREW MY ATTENTION TO IT BUT NOW I SEE A STAIN IN THE
HEADBOARD. I HAD A FLASHLIGHT
AND I SHINED MY FLASHLIGHT ON IT AND IT WAS A RED STAIN IN THIS
BLACK FABRIC AND I JUST REMEMBER CALLING OUT
TO SCOTT KAPRAL. I'M LIKE, "YOU'RE NOT GONNA
BELIEVE THIS." >> Reporter: THE STAIN WAS
BLOOD. THEY'D ALL MISSED IT THE DAY
LESLIE DIED. >> IT WAS COVERED UP BY PILLOWS
THE DAY THAT WE WERE THERE SO I NEVER REALLY GOT TO SEE
THAT >> ONCE WE IDENTIFIED THAT IT
WAS LESLIE'S BLOOD, THAT WAS -- THAT WAS ENORMOUS.
TO US, IT CERTAINLY DID NOT FIT ANY EXPLANATION THAT Y -- YOU
KNOW, HE BROUGHT HER OUT TO THE FLOOR RIGHT NEXT TO THE BED.
>> Reporter: HAD -- HAD HE TOLD YOU --
>> TO DO CPR >> Reporter: HAD HE TOLD YOU,
"I -- I PLACED HER ON THE BED" AT ANY POINT TO DO CPR
>> NO. NOT AT ALL
>> Reporter: BOB HAD TALKED TO
INVESTIGATORS AT THE SCENE, AND LATER GIVEN A WRITTEN STATEMENT
TO POLICE. HE'D DECLINED A FORMAL
INTERVIEW. BUT JENNA HAD GIVEN THAT
VIDEOTAPED INTERVIEW MAYBE SHE SAW SOMETHING THAT
WOULD EXPLAIN THE NEWLY DISCOVERED BLOOD
THEY PULLED IT TO REVIEW >> WHEN YOU FIRST SAW HER, SHE
WAS ALREADY ON THE GROUND? >> YEAH, DAD WAS HOLDING HER
UNDERNEATH HER ARM, YOU KNOW, ON THE BACK, ON THE BACK OF HER
HE WAS TRYING TO GET HER OUT OF THE BATHROOM
>> Reporter: JENNA HAD DESCRIBED HOW, AFTER CALLING 9-1-1, SHE
RAN INTO THE BATHROOM AND SAW HER DAD CARRYING HER MOTHER FROM
THE SHOWER >> SHE WAS ALREADY OUT OF THE
SHOWER AND SHE WAS IN THAT HALLWAY WHERE THAT STEP WAS AND
HE WAS TRYING TO GET HER ON THE CARPET
>> HE HAD ALREADY TAKEN HER OUT OF THE SHOWER AND HE WAS MOVING
HER. >> DOWN THE HALLWAY?
>> YEAH, INTO THE -- INTO THE CARPETED AREA.
AND DAD STARTED WORKING ON HER AND LOOKING FOR HER VITALS
>> WHAT DO YOU MEAN WORKING ON HER?
>> LIKE HE WAS CHECKING HER PULSE.
>> DID YOU ACTUALLY SEE HIM DO CHEST COMPRESSIONS
>> I DONT REMEMBER I JUST WANTED TO START SEEING IF
SHE WAS BREATHING. I JUST REMEMBER TOUCHING HER
LIKE THAT, AND HER JAW WAS REALLY STIFF
I STARTED SCREAMING THAT SHE'S DEAD
>> Reporter: AND THAT'S WHEN SHE NOTICED THE BLOOD.
>> WHERE DID YOU SEE THE BLOOD >> THERE WAS BLOOD, THEN I
LOOKED, THERE WAS BLOOD WHERE HER HEAD WAS
HERE, A LITTLE BIT AROUND, AND THERE WAS BLOOD, WHERE, UM, LIKE
ON THE WALLS >> Reporter: JENNA SAYS SHE RAN
TO ANOTHER ROOM TO GRAB HER CELLPHONE TO CALL 9-1-1 AGAIN.
>> WHEN I WENT BACK UPSTAIRS, SHE WAS HERE NEXT TO THE BED,
HER HEAD HERE. >> SO BY THE TIME YOU GOT DONE
CALLING 9-1-1 AGAIN, YOUR MOTHER HAD BEEN MOVED FROM HERE TO
HERE YOU, YOU DIDN'T HELP WITH THAT
OR ANYTHING? YOUR DAD THAT DID THAT
OKAY >> Reporter: JENNA CONFIRMED SHE
SAW HER MOTHER MOVED AT LEAST TWICE.
BUT NEVER MENTIONED SEEING HER ON THE BED, SO NOTHING SHE
DESCRIBED SEEMED TO EXPLAIN THE BLOOD THEY'D JUST FOUND ON THE
HEADBOARD. THE DA THOUGHT IT WAS TIME TO
FINALLY TALK TO BOB NEULANDER HIMSELF.
>> HIS ATTORNEY AND I ARE HAVING CONVERSATIONS.
I SAID, "WILL HE COME IN AND BE INTERVIEWED?
"SURE. ABSOLUTELY."
>>> COMING UP -- A CRUCIAL QUESTION FOR
BOB NEULANDER. ON THE HEADBOARD THERE ARE AT
LEAST NINE BLOOD SPATTERS FROM YOUR WIF
>> Reporter: MORE THAN A YEAR HAD PASSED SINCE LESLIE'S DEATH.
AND NOW BOB NEULANDER WAS SITTING DOWN WITH
D.A. BILL FITZPATRICK FOR A VIDEOTAPED INTERVIEW
>> HIS ATTORNEY KNOWS THAT I AM LEANING TOWARDS THAT YOUR CLIENT
MURDERED HIS WIFE. I SAID, "ED, THERE'S THIS BLOOD.
IT'S JUST SO INCONSISTENT. "HE CAN EXPLAIN THAT."
>> Reporter: AND SO FITZPATRICK ASKED HIM TO START AT THE
BEGINNING. >> I JUST ASKED HIM, "TELL ME
WHAT YOU DID THAT DAY. I WANNA BE AS THOROUGH AND
METICULOUS AS POSSIBLE." DO YOU REMEMBER ON THE 17th,
ABOUT WHAT TIME YOU SAID YOU WOKE UP?
>> SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 6:00 AND 6:30
I DECIDED TO GO FOR A RUN, WHICH I NORMALLY DO.
I, UH, GO PICK UP THE NEWSPAPER, AND THEN I PUT ON COFFEE 'CAUSE
I BRING A CUP -- A CUP OF COFFEE TO LESLIE EVERY MORNING.
>> OKAY. TELL US WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GO
INTO HER BEDROOM >> UH, THE SHOWER IS ON.
I HEAR THE WATER RUNNING, AND I PLACE IT ON THE NIGHTSTAND NEXT
TO WHERE SHE GOT OUT OF BED. >> Reporter: BOB SAID THEY HAD
TO BE SOMEWHERE BY AROUND 9:00, SO A LITTLE WHILE LATER, HE
RETURNED TO CHECK ON HIS WIFE. HE SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE SHE WAS
STILL IN THE SHOWER. >> I OPENED THE DOOR TO
OBVIOUSLY SEE IF, YOU KNOW, SHE'S JUST FORGETTING THE TIME
AS SOMETIMES SHE DID AND, UH, SHE WAS LAYING ON THE
FLOOR. I BASICALLY WENT INTO SHOCK
SEEING HER THERE I ATTEMPTED TO RESUSCITATE HER
>> Reporter: HE DESCRIBED WHAT HAPPENED NEXT -- A DESPERATE
ATTEMPT TO ADMINISTER CPR, WHICH INCLUDED MOVING HIS WIFE SEVERAL
TIMES, FIRST IN THE LARGE BATHROOM, THEN ALL THE WAY INTO
THE BEDROOM. >> ANY SIGN OF LIFE AT ALL FROM
LESLIE >> I GUESS THAT I THOUGHT THAT I
HEARD SOME BREATH SOUNDS I SAID, "I CAN'T SEE HER COLOR."
I PICKED HER UP AGAIN AND MOVED HER TOWARDS THE BAY WINDOW WHICH
WE HAD, UH, IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO SEE HER AND -- AS WELL AS
RESUSCITATE HER MORE APPROPRIATELY.
'CAUSE I WAS STILL IN THE DOORWAY OF THAT BATHROOM, WHICH
WAS NARROW AND DARK. >> Reporter: BUT GO AGAINST HIS
MEDICAL TRAINING AND MOVE HIS GRAVELY INJURED WIFE ALMOST
50 FEET? >> WHY WOULD YOU HAVE MOVED HER
FROM WHERE SHE WAS >> I WAS MOVING HER BECAUSE I
THOUGHT SHE WAS BREATHING. IT WAS STILL A DARKENED AREA
WHERE YOU COULDN'T REALLY SEE WELL
>> YOU HAVE THE SKYLIGHTS THERE. WHY NOT TAKE HER OUT OF THE
SHOWER, GET HER IN A COMFORTABLE POSITION ON THE BATHROOM FLOOR,
AND DO ALL YOUR WORK RIGHT THERE?
WHY NOT? >> THE -- THE -- THE ANSWER IS,
FIRST OF ALL, I WAS IN COMPLETE SHOCK AND TRAUMA FROM THIS
SO WHAT I TRIED TO DO WAS PUT HER IN A COMFORTABLE POSITION.
>> DO YOU NOTICE ANY STIFFNESS OF HER MUSCLES OR HER BODY ANY
WAY? >> UH, NOT THAT I NOTICED, NO.
>> AND WHEN YOU'RE PERFORMING THE MOUTH-TO-MOUTH, ARE YOU ABLE
TO DO THAT ARE YOU ABLE TO OPEN HER MOUTH
>> YES >> WITHOUT ANY GREAT EFFORT ON
YOUR PART? >> I DON'T REMEMBER ANY EFFORT
I REMEMBER BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE MOUTH AND BEING ABLE TO GIVE
HER THE BREATHS. >> Reporter: BUT THAT DIDN'T FIT
WITH WHAT JENNA SAID IN HER INTERVIEW.
>> HER JAW WAS REALLY STIFF. I STARTED SCREAMING THAT SHE'S
DEAD >> I DIDN'T GO INTO
CROSS-EXAMINATION MODE BECAUSE THAT WAS THE AGREEMENT THAT WE
HAD, THAT I WOULD NOT CROSS-EXAMINE HIM.
I WOULD JUST ASK HIM QUESTIONS >> Reporter: AND HE HAD PLENTY
OF QUESTIONS LEFT. >> HE WAS GOING TO EXPLAIN TO ME
ALL OF THIS BLOOD THAT MADE ME SUSPICIOUS
>> I ALSO WANT TO TELL YOU, IN ALL FAIRNESS, THAT ON THE
HEADBOARD, THERE ARE AT LEAST NINE BLOOD SPATTERS FROM YOUR
WIFE AND BLOOD SPATTER ON THE CEILING.
BLOOD ON THE FLOOR WHERE HER BODY WAS RESTING, BLOOD SPATTER
ON THE WALL. I'M ASKING YOU, DO YOU -- DO YOU
HAVE ANY EXPLANATION FOR THAT? >> NO, I DON'T
>> THE IRONY OF IT IS, WHEN WE GOT TO THE CRESCENDO OF THE
MOMENT OF THE INTERVIEW AND I SAID, "HOW DID THAT BLOOD GET
THERE? "I DON'T KNOW.
AND I -- YOU -- YOU REALLY CAN'T PICK IT UP ON THE TAPE, BUT I
LOOKED AT HIS LAWYER LIKE TO SAY, "WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE
I -- I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE WHOLE POINT OF IT.
AND I WAS -- I WAS STUNNED WHEN HE SAID THAT
>> Reporter: SO BOB NEULANDER'S STORY HAD PROBLEMS
D.A. FITZPATRICK REACHED OUT AGAIN TO THE CURRENT MEDICAL
EXAMINER WHO HAD BEEN CHALLENGED BY MARY AND OTHER PATHOLOGISTS
WHO'D REVIEWED THE CASE. AND IN THE SUMMER OF 2014,
ALMOST 2 YEARS AFTER LESLIE DIED, HE CHANGED HIS OPINION TO
HOMICIDE >> HE CHANGED THE MANNER OF
DEATH. HE DID
YOU KNOW, IT TAKES SOME PROFESSIONAL COURAGE TO SAY, "I
WAS WRONG. >> Reporter: THE CHANGE ON THE
DEATH CERTIFICATE WAS ENOUGH FOR D.A. FITZPATRICK TO FINALLY MAKE
A MOVE >> THERE WAS AN ARREST THIS
MORNING OF ROBERT NEULANDER. >> Reporter: THE OBSTETRICIAN
WHO'D BROUGHT SO MANY LIVES INTO THE WORLD WAS NOW ACCUSED OF
TAKING ONE, CHARGED WITH SECOND-DEGREE MURDER AND
TAMPERING WITH PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
IN SYRACUSE, THE STORY WAS HEADLINE NEWS.
>> HE IS ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS WIFE LESLIE AND COVERING IT UP
TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE SHE FELL IN THE SHOWER
>> Reporter: THROUGH HIS ATTORNEY, DR. NEULANDER'S FIRMLY
DENIED IT ALL. >> IN 40 YEARS OF CRIMINAL
PRACTICE, I HAVE NEVER HAD A CLIENT WHOSE INNOCENCE I BELIEVE
IN MORE FIRMLY THAN HIM. >> Reporter: AND MEGAN SAYS
THERE WERE PLENTY OF PEOPLE IN TOWN WHO DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT
DR. NEULANDER WAS A KILLER, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF LESLIE'S
OWN FAMILY >> YOU HAD HIS CHILDREN WHO WERE
STANDING BEHIND HIM FROM THE BEGINNING.
AND YOU HAD HER SIBLINGS, WHO WERE ALSO STANDING BY HIM, WHICH
I THINK WAS A REALLY POWERFUL SYMBOL FOR THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE
ONE WOULD THINK THAT IF -- IF HE HAD KILLED HIS WIFE, HER
SIBLINGS, LESLIE'S SIBLINGS, WOULD NOT BE STANDING BY HIM
BUT THEY WERE. >> Reporter: DID PEOPLE COMMEND
YOU FOR STANDING UP, OR DID SOME PEOPLE TURN ON YOU
>> IT'S A SMALL COMMUNITY, AND SOME PEOPLE FELT, "WELL, GOOD,
SOMEONE'S SPEAKING UP FOR LESLIE."
BUT OTHER PEOPLE FELT LIKE, "WHY ARE YOU EVEN PURSUING THIS
CAN'T YOU JUST LET THINGS REST WHERE THEY ARE?"
THIS IS TERRIBLE FOR THE CHILDREN
THEY DON'T DESERVE THIS. THEY DON'T
BUT I DIDN'T KILL HER. >> THIS IS ABOUT STANDING UP FOR
THAT, YOU KNOW, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAPPENS IN ALL KINDS OF
HOMES. AND SHE DIDN'T DESERVE THIS.
>> Reporter: WHETHER OR NOT BOB NEULANDER KILLED HIS WIFE
WOULDN'T BE UP TO LESLIE'S FRIENDS.
IT WOULD BE UP TO A JURY TO DECIDE
>>> COMING UP -- A DAUGHTER TAKES THE STAND
>> EVERYONE WAS WATCHING AND WAITING AND WONDERING, "WHAT
WILL SHE SAY?" >> AND THE PROSECUTOR'S DAUGHTER
DETECTS A NEW CLUE -- THE COFFEE CUP.
>> SOMETHING ALWAYS CAUGHT MY ATTENTION.
WE SHOULD SEE BLOOD ON THAT.
OF 2015, DR. BOB NEULANDER WENT ON TRIAL FOR HIS WIFE'S MURDER
>> MORE COMPELLING TESTIMONY TODAY.
>> ALL EYES WERE ON THIS TRIAL I MEAN, OUR CREWS BASICALLY
LIVED AT THE COURTHOUSE DURING THIS TIME.
AND EVERYONE WAS WAITING ON BAITED BREATH TO SEE WHAT WOULD
BE THE NEXT DEVELOPMENT. >> Reporter: D.A.
BILL FITZPATRICK WAS JOINED BY ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY
MELINDA MCGUNNIGLE >> THIS TRIAL WAS ONE OF THE
MOST PUBLICIZED TRIALS THAT THIS AREA HAS SEEN.
>> I TRY NOT TO PAY A LOT OF ATTENTION TO THAT, WHETHER
THERE'S PUBLICITY OR NOT WHEN I'M IN TRIAL MODE, I'M
FOCUSED ON THAT. >> Reporter: CAMERAS WERE NOT
ALLOWED IN COURT, BUT EACH DAY THOSE CREWS CAPTURED THE SAME
DRAMATIC SCENE IN THE HALLWAY. >> BOB WAS FLANKED SIDE BY SIDE
WITH HIS CHILDREN, WITH LESLIE'S SIBLINGS
WITH, YOU KNOW, FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND HIS ATTORNEY.
THEY WANTED THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO KNOW, "WE STAND BY OUR DAD.
>> DID YOU WORRY THAT THE JURY WOULD SEE THAT FAMILY IS
STANDING BEHIND BOB NEULANDER? I MEAN, COULD HE REALLY HAVE
KILLED HER IF -- IF THEY'RE SUPPORTING HIM
>> YEAH. WE -- MELINDA AND I USED TO JOKE
AT THE TRIAL, YOU KNOW, "WHO HAS HUG BOB DUTY TODAY?"
>> AND -- AND NOT ONLY THAT, YOU HAVE A DOCTOR.
>> RIGHT I'VE GOT A VERY, VERY LIKABLE
GUY WHO BRINGS BABIES INTO THE WORLD.
>> Reporter: AND THAT WAS EXACTLY THE MESSAGE NEULANDER'S
DEFENSE ATTORNEY TRIED TO CONVEY TO THE JURY.
>> IT WAS, "THERE'S NO REASON WHY THIS MAN WHO LOVED HIS WIFE
MORE THAN ANYTHING WOULD EVER TRY TO HARM HER.
>> Reporter: THE MEDICAL EXAMINER GOT IT RIGHT THE FIRST
TIME, HIS ATTORNEY SAID. LESLIE'S DEATH WAS AN ACCIDENT
THE DEFENSE CALLED A PATHOLOGIST WHO LOOKED AT THE SAME REPORTS
AND CONCLUDED LESLIE'S HEAD INJURIES WERE CONSISTENT WITH A
FALL IN THE SHOWER IN HIS VIDEOTAPED INTERVIEW, BOB
HAD SUGGESTED HIS WIFE'S FALL WAS CAUSED BY VERTIGO.
>> COULD YOU, UH, TELL US ABOUT THAT VERTIGO
UH, WHAT PHYSICIANS HAD SHE SEEN FOR VERTIGO?
>> SHE WAS, UH, IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING WHAT'S CALLED
PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR VERTIGO AND SHE WAS ALSO DOING
EXERCISES -- INVERSION EXERCISES FOR THAT ON A REGULAR, YOU KNOW,
ALMOST DAILY BASIS >> Reporter: LESLIE'S SISTER
TOLD THE JURY THAT LESLIE HAD SUFFERED DIZZY SPELLS NOT LONG
BEFORE HER DEATH AND A FRIEND TESTIFIED THAT ON A
TRIP TO ISRAEL THE PREVIOUS WINTER, HE'D SEEN LESLIE FALL.
>> PART OF THE DEFENSE'S STRATEGY WAS TO PLAY UP THIS
IDEA THAT SHE HAD VERTIGO AND THAT THAT COULD ACCOUNT FOR THE
REASON THAT SHE SLIPPED AND FELL IN THE SHOWER THAT DAY
>> Reporter: AS FOR ALL THAT BLOOD IN THE BEDROOM, THE
DEFENSE SAID THAT COULDN'T BE TRUSTED.
PARAMEDICS HAD TRAMPLED ALL OVER THE SCENE.
AND THAT BLOOD SPATTER ALL AROUND LESLIE'S BED?
THE DEFENSE SAID THAT COULD HAVE COME FROM A LONG SLEEVE SHIRT
NEULANDER WAS WEARING. >> HE SAID, "I WAS RACING
AGAINST TIME TO SAVE MY BELOVED WIFE
I HAD A BLOODY SHIRT ON, YOU KNOW, FROM -- FROM HER INJURIES.
I WAS COVERED IN BLOOD RIPPED THE SHIRT OFF TO TRY TO,
YOU KNOW, ADMINISTER CPR AND THAT THAT COULD ACCOUNT FOR
THE BLOOD BEING SPATTERED EVERYWHERE."
>> Reporter: AND, THE DEFENSE ARGUED, IF LESLIE'S DEATH WAS A
MURDER, THEN WHAT HAD SHE BEEN STRUCK WITH?
EVEN THE D.A. COULDN'T SAY >> YOU HAD NO MURDER WEAPON.
>> CORRECT >> YOU HAD NO ONE WHO HAD
ACTUALLY SEEN THE CRIME HAPPEN YOU HAD NO CONFESSION.
NO VIDEO >> YEAH.
I THOUGHT IT WAS AN UPHILL BATTLE
>> Reporter: THE POLICE HAD PACKED UP AND LEFT RIGHT AFTER
THE M.E. GAVE HIS OPINION. THE DEFENSE POINTED OUT THEY'D
HARDLY DONE ANY INVESTIGATING THAT DAY
>> THE DEFENSE DEFINITELY BLAMED THE POLICE FOR A BOTCHED
INVESTIGATION. >> Reporter: AND CERTAINLY, SAID
THE DEFENSE, IF BOB HAD DONE THE UNTHINKABLE, HIS OWN DAUGHTER
WOULDN'T BE STANDING IN HIS CORNER
WITH EMOTIONS RUNNING HIGH, JENNA, BY THEN 25, TOOK THE
STAND IN HER FATHER'S DEFENSE. >> SHE WAS INCREDIBLY FRAGILE.
SHE HAD LOST HER BELOVED MOTHER. AND BY ALL ACCOUNTS THEY WERE
BEST FRIENDS THEY WERE INCREDIBLY CLOSE
AND NOW SHE HAS TO TAKE THE STAND IN THE TRIAL OF HER
FATHER EVERYONE WAS WATCHING AND
WAITING AND WONDERING, WHAT WILL SHE SAY?
HOW WILL SHE ACT >> Reporter: JENNA TOLD THE JURY
ABOUT THAT HORRIFIC SEPTEMBER MORNING.
HOW SHE'D CALLED 911, THEN CAME RUNNING TO HELP JUST AS HER DAD
WAS PULLING HER MOM OUT OF THE SHOWER
IT WAS A HEARTBREAKING STORY BUT IN IT, THE D.A. SAW PLENTY
OF INCONSISTENCIES >> YOU HAD A BIG PROBLEM WITH
HER TESTIMONY. >> BOY, DID I EVER
>> Reporter: ON THE STAND, JENNA SAID SHE DIDN'T REMEMBER SEEING
BLOOD IN THE BEDROOM UNTIL AFTER HER MOTHER HAD BEEN MOVED.
BUT D.A. FITZPATRICK TOLD THE JURY TO LISTEN TO WHAT JENNA
SAID ON THAT 911 CALL AS SHE APPROACHES THE THE SCENE
911 CALL: OH, MY GOD. THERE'S BLOOD EVERYWHERE
>> WAIT A MINUTE THERE SHOULDN'T BE BLOOD
ANYWHERE MOM IS STILL IN THE SHOWER
AND SHE CAN'T SEE MOM. >> JENNA IS SEEING BLOOD IN THE
BEDROOM BEFORE HER MOM'S EVEN BEEN MOVED
>> NO -- NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. >> Reporter: IN COURT, JENNA
TESTIFIED THAT SHE HELPED HER DAD MOVE HER MOTHER.
THE D.A. SAYS THAT CONTRADICTED WHAT SHE SAID IN HER TAPED
INTERVIEW AND ON THE 911 CALL. >> DAD, PUT HER DOWN
HER NECK MIGHT BE BROKEN >> IT'S HEARTBREAKING TO LISTEN
TO "DON'T MOVE HER.
I MEAN, THIS IS A 24 YEAR-OLD TELLING THE --
>> THE DOCTOR. >> -- THE 60 YEAR OLD DOCTOR
AND SHE'S PLEADING WITH HIM TO DO THAT.
YET HE CONTINUES, OBVIOUSLY, TO MOVE HER
>> I DON'T MEAN TO PILE ON HER GRIEF.
I CONSIDER HER VICTIM NUMBER TWO.
>> Reporter: THE D.A. BELIEVED BOB NEULANDER HAD USED HIS
DAUGHTER AS PART OF A COVERUP, CALLING HER TO THE SCENE OF THE
CRIME AS HE PRETENDED TO TRY TO SAVE THE WOMAN HE HAD JUST
VIOLENTLY ASSAULTED. >> HE HAD TO MAKE EFFORTS TO
COVER IT UP BECAUSE OF THE VIOLENT ASSAULT THAT HAD ALREADY
TAKEN PLACE. IF HE LEAVES HER IN THE SHOWER,
HOW IS HE GONNA EXPLAIN THAT TO THE E.M.T.s?
>> YOU ARGUED THAT THERE WAS JUST TOO MUCH BLOOD IN THAT
BEDROOM FROM A SLIP AND FALL IN THE SHOWER
>> RIGHT SHE ALLEGEDLY FELL IN THE
SHOWER BUT SHE'S 50, 60 FEET IN THE
BEDROOM. AND THEN THERE'S BLOOD SPATTER
ON THE WALL. >> Reporter: THE PROSECUTORS
SAID THEY BELIEVED BOB DISPOSED OF EVIDENCE, TOO
IN FACT, THE FAMILY HOUSEKEEPER TOLD THE JURY SHE WAS CERTAIN
THAT LESLIE'S BEDSHEETS HAD BEEN CHANGED.
>> SHE NOTICED THAT THE SHEETS THAT WERE ON THE BED WERE NOT
THE ONES THAT SHE HAD PUT ON THE BED THE PREVIOUS MONDAY.
AND THE BED DIDN'T LOOK THE WAY SHE MADE IT.
I MEAN, SHE MADE THE BED A PARTICULAR WAY
YOUR THEORY IS THAT HE -- DR. NEULANDER, TOOK THE SHEETS
OFF THE BED AND -- AND WASHED THEM
OR - >> NO.
HE GOT RID OF 'EM. >> Reporter: AND THERE WAS ONE
MORE DETAIL THAT THE PROSECUTION SAID WAS PART OF STAGING THE
SCENE. IT WAS SOMETHING THAT NONE OF
THE PROFESSIONAL INVESTIGATORS NOTICED, BUT WAS POINTED OUT BY
FITZPATRICK'S OWN DAUGHTER AT THE TIME, SARA FITZPATRICK
WAS A COLLEGE FORENSICS MAJOR AND WAS LOOKING AT THE CRIME
SCENE PHOTOS FROM HER DAD'S CASE
IN A PICTURE OF THE NIGHTSTAND, SHE STARED AT THE COFFEE CUP BOB
SAID HE BROUGHT TO LESLIE, AND SOMETHING JUMPED OUT AT HER.
>> SOMETHING ALWAYS CAUGHT MY ATTENTION WITH THAT PHOTO OF THE
NIGHTSTAND IT'S BRIGHT WHITE AMONGST OTHER
OBJECTS. WE SHOULD SEE BLOOD ON THAT.
I MEAN, WE'RE ZOOMIN' IN ON THIS PHOTO.
SEEING MINUSCULE DROPS OF BLOOD ON THESE WATER BOTTLES, AND THIS
TISSUE BOX AND IT SHOULD BE OBVIOUS TO SEE
BLOOD ON THAT COFFEE CUP >> WHAT DID THAT SAY TO YOU?
>> THAT THAT COFFEE CUP WAS INSERTED INTO THE SCENE AFTER
>> Reporter: AFTER EIGHT DAYS OF TESTIMONY, BOB NEULANDER'S CASE
WAS ABOUT TO GO TO THE JURY. BUT SOMETHING WAS MISSING.
YOU KNOW THAT JURORS LIKE TO HAVE MOTIVE.
THEY LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEONE COULD DO SOMETHING SO
HEINOUS. >> I TOLD THE JURY, I SAID,
"LOOK, I -- I DON'T KNOW WHY HE KILLED HER
I CAN -- I CAN SUGGEST TO YOU, THOUGH, THAT THIS WAS NOT A
PERFECT MARRIAGE." >> Reporter: THE DA DID NOT CALL
LESLIE'S FRIENDS, LIKE NEVIN, TO SHARE WHAT THEY KNEW ABOUT BOB
AND LESLIE'S RELATIONSHIP. THAT MEANT THE JURY NEVER HEARD
ABOUT THE TEXT MESSAGES BOB SENT ASKING NEVIN TO STAY OUT OF
THEIR MARRIAGE WHY -- WHY DID YOU NOT CALL
NEVIN ROBI TO THE STAND? >> I THINK IT -- IT WOULD'VE
BEEN DISTRACTING I DON'T THINK IT WAS A SERIOUS
RELATIONSHIP IT WOULD'VE BEEN TOO TANGENTIAL.
>> Reporter: SO NEVIN DIDN'T GET TO TELL THE JURY THAT THE
SEPARATION WAS IMMINENT AND THAT LESLIE WAS MAKING PLANS TO MOVE
OUT. OR THIS POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE
STORY. >> SHE STARTED TALKING ABOUT BOB
AND HOW HE'S ACTING VERY ERRATIC.
>> Reporter: NEVIN SAYS THAT AT THEIR LAST LUNCH, LESLIE TOLD
HIM ABOUT AN INCIDENT WITH BOB IT HAPPENED IN THE BATHROOM.
>> HE CAME IN TO THE BATHROOM ONE DAY, AND HE WAS, LIKE,
REALLY KIND OF, LIKE, SEMI-AGGRESSIVE.
AND NOT AGGRESSIVE TO HER PHYSICALLY, JUST, LIKE, KIND OF,
LIKE, VERBALLY AND THEN HE'D, LIKE, LEAVE
QUICKLY. SO I WAS LIKE, "WELL, DO YOU
FEEL AFRAID? AND SHE'S LIKE, "NO.
NOT REALLY." >> Reporter: BUT NEVIN'S
INSTINCTS KICKED IN. >> I WAS JUST KIND OF LIKE,
"WELL, THEN DON'T -- DON'T STAY THERE THEN
YOU HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS IN THIS AREA, YOU HAVE MONEY.
STAY AT A HOTEL. >> Reporter: ACCORDING TO NEVIN,
LESLIE SAID SHE DIDN'T WANT TO DO THAT.
WHEN NEVIN FOUND OUT LESLIE DIED IN THE SHOWER, HE WAS
IMMEDIATELY REMINDED OF THAT BATHROOM INCIDENT HE SAYS LESLIE
TOLD HIM ABOUT >> I WAS LIKE, "NO WAY."
>> Reporter: SO YOU PUT BATHROOM AND SHOWER -
>> YEAH, I WAS - >> Reporter: -- FALL TOGETHER.
>> -- JUST LIKE, "YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.
>> Reporter: TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE?
>> WAY TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE.
YOU KNOW, I MEAN, COME ON. >> Reporter: BUT NONE OF THAT
CAME OUT IN THE TRIAL. >> THE JURY WAS LEFT WONDERING,
YOU KNOW, "WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT WHY HE WOULD, YOU KNOW, MURDER
HIS WIFE?" >> Reporter: THE JURORS
DELIBERATED FOR THREE DAYS AND THEN ANNOUNCED THEY'D
REACHED A VERDICT. >> IT WAS ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS
WHERE YOU COULD HEAR A PIN DROP IN THE COURTROOM
WHAT WILL THE JURY DECIDE? >> Reporter: THE NEULANDER
FAMILY WALKED TO THE COURTROOM ARM IN ARM, BOTH JENNA AND
BROTHER ARI CLINGING TO THEIR DAD.
THE TENSION WAS SUFFOCATING AS THE FOREPERSON ROSE TO DELIVER
THE VERDICT. GUILTY
GUILTY OF MURDERING HIS WIFE IN THE SECOND DEGREE AND TAMPERING
WITH PHYSICAL EVIDENCE >> NORMALLY, AT THAT POINT IN A
TRIAL, THE PROSECUTOR GETS UP, TURNS AROUND, REACHES OUT TO THE
VICTIM'S FAMILY, AND YOU HUG, AND THERE'S A LOT OF TEARS
INVOLVED AND IT'S -- IT'S -- IT'S WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO AS
PROSECUTORS. >> Reporter: NOT IN THIS CASE.
>> IN THIS CASE, YOU GET THE EVIL EYE
I HOPE YOU DIE >> I RECALL JENNA YELLING OUT TO
HER DAD, "I KNOW YOU DIDN'T DO THIS
I LOVE YOU." >> Reporter: BOB'S DEFENSE
ATTORNEY VOWED TO FIGHT ON >> BOB NEULANDER IS THE MOST
HONORABLE PERSON I HAVE EVER MET.
HIS CASE HAS BEEN A TRAVESTY FROM START TO FINISH, AND IT IS
NOT FINISHED >> Reporter: THREE MONTHS LATER,
BOB NEULANDER WAS SENTENCED 20 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON
IT HAD BEEN A TRYING FEW YEARS FOR LESLIE'S FRIENDS, BUT THEY
FELT AT PEACE WITH THE ROLES THEY PLAYED.
>> DO I WISH I DIDN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS
ABSOLUTELY >> IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT
SOME PEOPLE DON'T TALK TO ME OTHER PEOPLE SAY, "I'M GLAD YOU
SPOKE UP FOR LESLIE. >> ONCE HE WAS SENTENCED, MOST
PEOPLE THOUGHT, "CASE CLOSED", YOU KNOW, "HE'S GOING TO SPEND
THIS TIME IN PRISON FOR THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE, AND THAT'S
THE LAST WE WILL HEAR FROM OR OF DR. NEULANDER.
>> Reporter: BUT THAT THOUGHT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG.
AFTER THE TRIAL, AN ALTERNATE JUROR CONTACTED THE DEFENSE
SAYING ONE OF THE JURORS HAD BEEN RECEIVING INFORMATION ABOUT
THE CASE >> THEY FOUND THAT JUROR NUMBER
12 HAD NOT ONLY JUST RECEIVED MEDIA ALERTS THAT SHE RECEIVED,
UPWARDS OF 7,000 TEXT MESSAGES FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS
THROUGHOUT THE TRIAL ASKING HER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CASE
>> 6,997 OF THEM HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CASE
THE PROBLEMATIC EMAILS WAS THERE WAS -- THERE WAS A TEXT MESSAGE
FROM HER FATHER BEFORE SHE WAS SELECTED AS A JUROR, QUOTE,
"MAKE SURE HE'S GUILTY." THEN THERE WERE THREE TEXT
MESSAGES, I BELIEVE, FROM A FRIEND, "WHAT'S GOING ON
WHAT'D YOU THINK ABOUT JENNA IS THE SCARY GUY THERE?"
>> Reporter: DEFENSE ATTORNEYS FILED AN APPEAL BASED ON JUROR
MISCONDUCT MOTIONS WERE FILED, SEVERAL
HEARINGS WERE HELD THE APPEAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO
THE STATE'S HIGHEST COURT. >> THE NEXT APPEAL ON THIS
AFTERNOON'S CALENDAR IS PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK VERSUS
ROBERT NEULANDER >> Reporter: YOU ALL FELT
CONFIDENT THAT THIS DID NOT AFFECT THE OUTCOME OF THE TRIAL.
>> 100% CERTAINTY IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH HER VERDICT
>> Reporter: BUT ULTIMATELY THE COURT'S SEVEN JUDGE PANEL
UNANIMOUSLY DISAGREED WITH THE DA AND THREW OUT THE VERDICT
>> I WAS STUNNED, STUNNED. >> Reporter: NOT ONLY IS -- IS
BOB NEULANDER GRANTED A NEW TRIAL, BUT HE'S RELEASED FROM
PRISON >> RIGHT
OVER OUR OBJECTION, HE'S RELEASED ON BAIL
>> ROBERT, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT THINK YOU SHOULDN'T
BE OUT OF PRISON WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT
THAT >> Reporter: WERE YOU ANGRY?
>> WELL, I'LL KEEP MY EMOTIONS TO MYSELF.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY >> NO, I DON'T
>> DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY AT ALL
>> I JUST WANT TO BE WITH MY FAMILY AND PLEASE, JUST GIVE US
SOME TIME, PLEASE. >> Reporter: THE DEFENSE HAILED
IT AS A VICTORY, BUT BOB NEULANDER WAS NOT FREE AND
CLEAR. THE DA COULD TRY HIM AGAIN, BUT
WOULD HE >> Reporter: YOU HAD A BIG
DECISION TO MAKE YOU HAD TO DECIDE IF YOU WERE
GOING TO PROSECUTE BOB NEULANDER AGAIN.
>> I HAVE TO LIVE IN THE REAL WORLD.
YOU KNOW, I'M THINKING, "I CAN'T DO THIS AGAIN.
>>> COMING UP -- TRIAL NUMBER TWO
A NEW DEFENSE TEAM NEW EVIDENCE
AND RENEWED SUPPORT. >> MY ENTIRE FAMILY IS STANDING
BEHIND HIM AFTER TEN YEARS DO YOU THINK WE WOULD BE WITH
HIM IF WE THOUGHT HE WAS GUILTY? >> WOULD THE VERDICT BE
>> Reporter: BY THE SUMMER OF 2018, BOB NEULANDER WAS A FREE
MAN. FOR MARY JUMBELIC, AFTER YEARS
OF BEING INVOLVED IN THE CASE OF HER FRIEND IT WAS A CRUSHING
DEVELOPMENT. >> I WAS SHOCKED
BUT, AGAIN, EVEN WHEN THINGS SEEM COMPLETELY STRAIGHTFORWARD,
LIFE JUST ISN'T STRAIGHTFORWARD. THINGS HAPPEN.
>> Reporter: D.A. BILL FITZPATRICK FACED A TOUGH
DECISION, WHETHER TO TRY HIM FOR MURDER ALL OVER AGAIN.
>> THERE IS NOTHING MORE EXHAUSTING THAN GOING THROUGH A
TRIAL UNLESS YOU'RE YOUNG AND HAVE A GREAT DISPOSITION, BUT,
ME, YOU KNOW, I'M -- I'M IN THE SEVENTH INNING
>> YOU KNOW, TO THINK ABOUT, "WE HAVE TO DO THIS AGAIN," YOU
KNOW, IT WAS A LOT TO GET TO WHERE WE WERE.
>> BUT YOU HAVE TO DO IT SOMEBODY'S GOTTA SPEAK FOR
LESLIE >> JURY SELECTION BEGAN THIS
MORNING AT ONONDAGA COURT. TEN JURORS HAVE ALREADY BEEN
SEATED >> Reporter: IT WAS MARCH
2022 WHEN BOB NEULANDER WENT ON TRIAL AGAIN FOR THE MURDER OF
HIS WIFE >> ANY MESSAGES TO THE COMMUNITY
TODAY? >> Reporter: BY THAT POINT, THE
FORMER DOCTOR HAD BEEN OUT ON BAIL FOR THREE YEARS
HIS WIFE LESLIE HAD BEEN GONE FOR NEARLY A DECADE.
DID YOU WONDER IF THE FAMILY WAS STILL SUPPORTING HIM
>> I DID WONDER THAT IT'S A DARK PART OF THIS STORY
ARI, DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THAT YOUR FATHER IS INNOCENT AND YOUR
MOTHER SLIPPED IN THE SHOWER >> Reporter: THE FAMILY WASN'T
SAYING MUCH, BUT IT WAS CLEAR THAT NOTHING HAD CHANGED
NEULANDER'S CHILDREN ARRIVED FOR TRIAL NUMBER TWO LIKE THAT HAD
BEFORE, BY THEIR DAD'S SIDE. D.A. FITZPATRICK WAS AGAIN
JOINED BY ADA MELINDA McGUNNIGLE AND THERE WAS A FRESH FACE ON
THE PROSECUTION TEAM >> WELL, I ONLY HAVE ONE
ASSISTANT D.A. THAT HAS A MASTERS DEGREE IN FORENSICS.
AND I ONLY HAVE ONE DAUGHTER >> Reporter: FITZPATRICK'S
DAUGHTER, SARA, WAS NOW AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN
HIS OFFICE WHAT A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE TO
BRING YOUR DAUGHTER IN ON YOUR TEAM
>> AND -- AND THE IRONY ISN'T LOST TO ME
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DEFENDANT AND HIS DAUGHTER, AND
THEN I'M BRINGING MY DAUGHTER IN TO GET AT -- AT HER AGE, THE
EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME >> Reporter: WAS THERE SOME
PRESSURE ON YOU THAT, "I -- I NEED TO GET THIS RIGHT
I NEED TO IMPRESS MY DAD AND FEEL WORTHY THAT I'M ON THIS
TEAM"? >> ABSOLUTELY.
I MEAN, IT'S NOT JUST TO IMPRESS MY DAD
IT'S IMPRESS MY BOSS >> Reporter: BY AND LARGE, THE
PROSECUTION'S CASE REMAINED THE SAME
>> SAME THEORY SAME 9-1-1 CALLS
SAME HOUSEKEEPER SAME PHOTOGRAPHS, WITH ONE
SIGNIFICANT ADDITION >> Reporter: A BLOOD SPATTER
EXPERT NEW TO THE CASE MADE AN INTERESTING DISCOVERY WHILE
EXAMINING PHOTOS OF LESLIE'S HEADBOARD.
>> AND BELOW THE MATTRESS LINE HE DREW MELINDA'S ATTENTION TO A
VERY, VERY SMALL, MAYBE FOUR MILLIMETERS PIECE OF WHAT HE
BELIEVED TO BE SOME TYPE OF TISSUE
>> AND SAID, YOU KNOW, IT MAY STILL BE THERE
SO I WENT OUT TO DEWITT PD, PULLED THAT SECTION OF THE
HEADBOARD. AND LO AND BEHOLD, THERE WAS
THAT PIECE STILL THERE, ATTACHED TO THE HEADBOARD
SO THEN WE HAD TO TEST IT. >> Reporter: TURNED OUT TO BE
FATTY TISSUE WHICH THEY BELIEVE CAME FROM LESLIE'S OPEN HEAD
WOUND. >> IT TOLD US THAT SHE WAS
ASSAULTED ON THE BED >> Reporter: SO THIS WAS A --
THIS WAS A BIG DEAL FOR THE SECOND TRIAL
>> THIS WAS HUGE YEAH
>> TONIGHT, WE ARE GIVING YOU A LOOK AT THE BOMBSHELL PIECE OF
EVIDENCE THAT WAS THE CORE OF THE PROSEUCTION'S ARGUMENT
>> Reporter: IN THIS SECOND TRIAL, DA FITZPATRICK TRIED TO
TELL THE JURY MORE ABOUT A POSSIBLE MOTIVE.
HE SAID THINGS WERE TENSE IN THE COUPLE WAS SEPARATING, AND THAT
LESLIE WAS MOVING INTO AN APARTMENT.
>> THERE -- THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THIS WAS A RAGE-BASED
HOMICIDE THIS WAS NOT CAREFULLY PLANNED
AND PREMEDITATED WHATEVER THE ANGER WAS ABOUT HER
FLIRTING WITH ANOTHER GUY, WITH THE EXPENSE OF SELLING THE
HOUSE, HER NEW APARTMENT, MOVING, WHATEVER THAT STEW
ULTIMATELY BECAME, THAT'S RESULTED IN HER DEATH.
>> Reporter: BOB NEULANDER CAME TO COURT WITH A NEW HIGH POWERED
DEFENSE TEAM WHAT DID YOU SEE THE DEFENSE DO
DIFFERENTLY THIS TIME? WHAT WAS THEIR CHANGE IN
STRATEGY >> I -- I THINK THE FIRST TRIAL,
BOB NEULANDER COULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS BECAUSE HE'S SUCH A
WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING. AND -- AND THE -- AND THE
SCIENCE DOESN'T ADD UP THIS TRIAL, BOB NEULANDER IS A
WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING. BUT THE SCIENCE IS OVERWHELMING
THAT THIS WAS A SLIP AND FALL. >> Reporter: THE DEFENSE'S OWN
FORENSIC EXPERT DISPUTED THE PROSECUTION'S NEW FINDING ABOUT
THE TISSUE ON THE HEADBOARD. THE DEFENSE SAID THAT THERE
SHOULD'VE BEEN MORE BRAIN TISSUE, BLOOD, AND HAIR IF
THAT'S REALLY WHERE SHE WAS ATTACKED
>> THERE COULD'VE BEEN MORE BLOOD.
THERE COULD'VE BEEN MORE BRAIN MATTER
AND HE COULD'VE CLEANED IT UP. >> Reporter: AND MOTIVE?
THE DEFENSE ARGUED THE STATE WAS PULLING AT STRAWS, THERE WAS
NOTHING THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED BOB TO FLY INTO SUCH A RAGE AND
KILL HIS WIFE OF 30 YEARS. THEIR SON, ARI, TOLD THE JURY
THAT EVEN THOUGH HIS PARENTS WERE SEPARATING, HE NEVER SAW
THEM IN A PHYSICAL FIGHT NOR FOR THAT MATTER HAD LESLIE'S
SISTER SHE TESTIFIED IN SUPPORT OF HER
BROTHER-IN-LAW, SAYING SHE KNEW OF NO PHYSICAL ALTERCATIONS
BETWEEN BOB AND LESLIE BUT PERHAPS THE BIGGEST CHANGE
TO THE DEFENSE'S CASE WAS WHO THEY CHOSE NOT TO CALL
>> JENNA NEULANDER IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL DEFINITION OF THE
MISSING WITNESS. SHE HAD INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF
THE FACTS. SHE WOULD NATURALLY BE EXPECTED
TO SUPPORT HER FATHER'S POSITION THAT THIS WAS A SLIP AND FALL IN
THE SHOWER AND SHE'S AVAILABLE.
>> Reporter: THE D.A'S OFFICE SPOKE WITH JURORS FROM THE FIRST
TRIAL AND THEY SAID JENNA'S TESTIMONY ACTUALLY HURT
NEULANDER. >> JENNA'S TESTIMONY WAS SO
DISASTROUS THAT SHE ULTIMATELY WAS A HUGE PART IN CONVICTING
HER FATHER >> Reporter: SO WITHOUT HEARING
FROM JENNA IN TRIAL #2, THE JURY WENT OFF TO DELIBERATE
HOW LONG DO YOU EXPECT JURY DELIBERATIONS TO TAKE ONCE THEY
BEGIN? >> HA-HA-HA, I HAVE NO IDEA.
>> Reporter: AND JUST SIX HOURS LATER, EVERYONE WAS CALLED BACK
INTO THE COURTROOM THERE WAS A VERDICT.
ROBERT NEULANDER WAS FOUND GUILTY BY A JURY OF 12 MEN AND
WOMEN FOUND GUILTY OF MURDERING HIS WIFE LESLIE.
>> WE WERE PROFESSIONALLY VERY, VERY SATISFIED
AS I SAID MANY TIMES IN THIS CASE, SOMEBODY'S TO SPEAK FOR
LESLIE >> Reporter: THE D.A. CREDITS
HIS FORMER COLLEAGUE, AND LESLIE'S FRIEND MARY, WITH
IGNITING THE CASE. YOUR STORY IS ONE OF THE MOST
INCREDIBLE STORIES I'VE HEARD. AND WITHOUT YOU DOING WHAT YOU
DID, THERE MAY HAVE NEVER BEEN JUSTICE FOR LESLIE
>> MAYBE NOT BUT THAT KIND OF HAS BEEN A LIFE
GOAL FOR ME TO SPEAK FOR THE DEAD
AND SO TO SPEAK FOR MY FRIEND WAS AN HONOR
>> Reporter: AFTER THE VERDICT BOB NEULANDER WAS IMMEDIATELY
TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND LATER SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS
TO LIFE IN PRISON. >> Reporter: MR. BACH, ANY
COMMENT ON THE GUILTY VERDICT FOR YOUR CLIENT?
>> OBVIOUSLY, WE ARE DISAPPOINTED AND WE PLAN TO
APPEAL >> MY FATHER -- MY FATHER IS
INNOCENT >> Reporter: HIS SON ARI
IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE VERDICT, "A TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE."
>> I MEAN THE FACT THAT MY ENTIRE FAMILY IS STANDING BEHIND
HIM AFTER TEN YEARS. DO YOU THINK WE WOULD BE WITH
HIM IF WE THOUGHT HE WAS GUILTY? I CAN ASSURE YOU EVERY ONE OF MY
FAMILY MEMBERS WOULD HAVE BEEN TAKING THE STAND AGAINST MY
FATHER IF HE HAD DONE ANYTHING TO MY MOTHER
IF SHE WERE HERE SHE WOULD BE DISGUSTED WITH HOW THIS
COMMUNITY HAS TREATED HER FAMILY, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
DOES NOT SPEAK FOR MY MOTHER NO ONE WHO -- WHO CLAIMS THEY
ARE SPEAKING FOR MY MOTHER IS ACTUALLY THERE FOR HER
>> I DONT THINK ARI WANTS TO COME TO GRIPS WITH THIS.
ARI WAS NOT THERE. I THINK HE CLEARLY LOVES HIS
FATHER AND WANTS TO BELIEVE THAT THIS WAS A SLIP AND FALL IN THE
SHOWER AND THAT'S HIS RIGHT
I BEAR HIM NO ILL WILL >> Reporter: FOR LESLIE'S
FRIENDS WHO FOUGHT FOR JUSTICE, NOW IS THE TIME TO CHERISH
MEMORIES OF THE WOMAN THEY ADMIRED AND LOVED SO DEARLY.
>> I THINK SHE NEEDS PEACE IN HEAVEN
LESLIE DIDN'T DESERVE TO DIE >> MAYBE AT LEAST WITH THIS
CONVICTION WE CAN THINK ABOUT THE WOMAN SHE WAS, AND HER
LAUGHTER AND HER BEAUTY, AND HER GENEROSITY, AND -- AND HOLD ON
TO THAT. >> THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.