"I said, 'What did you do,' right away. "A knife," Stragaj replied. And she said, 'No, I'll say it when I'm sober.' You didn't call 911. As per the Tv9 Telugu, the orthopedic surgeon took the extreme step due to a family dispute, reports said. [3][20] Bigger's appeal suggested that he was not afforded a fair trial on account of the copious amount of media coverage surrounding the case. Robert was born on May 13, 1944. "And what he described to me -- he said, 'I shot the man between the eyes,' and he did this," Dyer said, pointing between his eyes. "And then staged the scene to look like a burglary?" In 2011, Ben was arrested and convicted of stealing jewelry from the Schwartz home. He also noted that his vision had been permanently damaged. "It became very apparent early on, her motive was financial. "Why would he do that?" He took the bag back to Becky that morning and confronted her. "When you heard the news that your father had killed a man, how shocking was that for you?" Not only her husband who is 16 years younger than Beckybut her teenaged daughter moved in with Becky as well, after Becky lavished her with attention and gifts, Meredith says. And then -- and did the rest in a crazy, violent rage, unless Leo helped her finish the job. Lead prosecutors Sylvia Lafferty and Richard Platt also brought in a more sophisticated DNA analysis than the one used for the Schwartz trial. Van Sant asked Carter. They also argued that Robert Schwartz abused his daughter. "She's got something to hide. [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. And she said, 'You know why I did it,'" said Stragaj. It was updated on July 29.]. The nature of the crime shocked many, and the murder weapon was believed to be a 27-inch sword. I think that that cloud is always there that they may arrest her," attorney Kym Rivellini said. In 2009, Schwartz claimed to have been attacked numerous times by inmates. Schwartz, a prominent local nephrologist, was found dead in his Tarpon Springs mansion in May 2014 after his wife Rebecca Schwartz reported a robbery. Currently, stem cell therapy is not FDA approved. [3][12] Despite the fact that Stidham's new practice was on the opposite side of town, Schwartz was convinced that his former partner was deliberately stealing his clients. [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 series, created Carolyn Wiger From Survivor 44 -CBS has debuted the 44th season of the renowned reality television series "Survivor" Diverse strangers attempt to survive in Contestant Carson Garrett From Survivor 44 -Since its launch in 2000, the CBS reality competition series 'Survivor,' developed by Charlie Parsons, has been a Where is Kevin Roby Now? I want the people responsible for this to be held both criminally and civilly liable," Carter Schwartz said. -- that we've ever seen," Cox continued. And her son goes, 'Mom, are you crazy? Both men also pleaded "not guilty. "What is the most important thing to Becky Schwartz?" [3][5] Stidham began attending Harvard Medical School in 1990 and graduated in 1993. 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. 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. He's obviously dead -- right?" This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Van Sant asked. And to this day, Cecil has the gun Schwartz used to murder Dr. Cook. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. "And why would she want you dead?" While Dyer walked away from his car, Schwartz went ahead with his plan. Clara and Katherine had met while the former was in her senior year in high school. "[13], From early 2001 to May 2004, Schwartz was involved in a romantic relationship with the foster mother of one of his patients, Pima County deputy attorney Lourdes Salomon Lopez. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. And Becky seduced her new boyfriend with expensive gifts, too. "I would say that's a very accurate statement," Carter replied. WebAt around 11pm on October 5, 2004, a cleaning crew discovered Stidhams body inside his vehicle that was parked in the parking lot of the North First Medical Plaza in Tucson, [7] He worked at a hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania prior to relocating with his family to Tucson in the late '90s. More than three years have passed since Dr. Schwartz's murder, and Becky Schwartz splits her time between Florida and Wisconsin. "What do you do, stuck in an airport?" [3] In March 2004, the conditions of Schwartz and Lopez's release were modified to allow the two to have contact with each other. "Was there money involved in this? [9] The trial officially ended on May 2, 2006. [26], Brian Stidham's widow, Daphne Stidham, filed a wrongful death suit in 2005 against the medical complex where her husband was murdered, alleging that the conditions at the complex aided the killer. "Early on, I didn't like dislike 'em, but that faded pretty quickly," he replied. Youve been asked to look at the photographs and look at the ugly, savage way Dr. Schwartz was killed in his own home, Basham said. What -- what are you saying? In this small town where everybody knew everybody, Dr. Cook was known to carry large amounts of cash. [20], Schwartz and Bigger were both charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Largo Police announced Emirjoni "Lola" Como Stragajs arrest Thursday. [14] He also became addicted to Ritalin. You add all that up, and you've got yourself a murder suspect," Van Sant remarked. Katherine received a one-year prison sentence after being convicted guilty of a murder conspiracy. Van Sant asked. "Yes, sir. But when Schwartz's colleagues planned one. A year later he switched to ophthalmology. The Perfect Murder: The Devil Made Me Do It focuses on how the police zeroed in on four people who had a role to play, which shockingly included Roberts daughter as well. They started with his family, and Clara Schwartz, his youngest daughter, was discovered Dana Nichols: Just me knowing her and things that she's done before. 'Locations and associated times given by [you] did not match cell phone tower.'". But sadly, I don't think anyone matters to her but herself.". Becky lavished luxury on herself and her own sons -- paying for their weddings. [7][14] In November 2003, Schwartz was placed on five years' probation by the Arizona Medical Board for "unprofessional conduct. He had been strangled, shot and stabbed. "I believe that both Leo Stragaj and Rebecca Schwartz were involved in his murder and caused his death on that date," said Carter Schwartz. And that he was the killer," said deVlaming. I didn't call the police that day. Only later did I find out she held a private funeral or service, if you would, at -- at the house to which I was not invited," said Carter. "And siphoned to where? [5], Bradley Alan Schwartz was born January 14, 1965[10] in Brooklyn, New York to Henry and Lois Schwartz. But still, I can't see Leo hurting Dr. Schwartz. 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). 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. At one point, Schwartz asked House when he really would kill her father, but he never followed through, he testified. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. "Now, you tell me; what kind of person does that?" "He said, 'I'm going home. According to Katherine, Clara wanted her father dead and talked about the money she would inherit if that became a reality. But with a blended family came problems. Stragaj says when he picked up the handbag he saw a knife inside. Fax (586) 939 -9328. email Staff@DrSchwartzOptometrist.com In an extraordinary moment, Dana, who had remained silent publicly for two years, turns on her own mother-in-law, reading a text message she sent a friend not long after Dr. Schwartz's murder: Dana Nichols (reading aloud in court): "It's crazy how so much of what Becky did all adds up now. [3][4], Stidham was born and raised in Longview, Texas, the son of Mack and Joyce Stidham. Van Sant asked Dr. Patton. The crime was orchestrated by his 20-year-old daughter, Clara Jane Schwartz, as part of a fantasy role-playing game. "He was beloved in many ways, was he not?" I'm leaving,'" said Dyer. 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What individual would tell somebody that could turn them in, to go pick up the murder weapon that could be turned into the police to get your DNA, (laughs) your fingerprints? Can you go and grab my bag, please? Millions and millions of dollars worth of money," said Becky's attorney, Denis deVlaming. "Money. When the authorities learned of Roberts brutal murder, they spoke to Clara and her friends. Clara was the youngest of Roberts three children; she had an older brother and sister. She was being held without bond as of Thursday. He felt compelled to defend Clara when she informed him of her fathers alleged abuse. She will be formally sentenced Jan. 21. By the time he landed back in the States, Carter called his uncle -- certain he knew who killed his father, because it struck him that to Becky, Dr. Schwartz was worth more dead than alive. WebBut all that family turmoil was hidden, and to most who knew him, Dr. Schwartz seemed to have a beautiful life until the evening of May 28, 2014, when Becky Schwartz came home To say Steven Schwartz's life was extraordinary, as his son, Carter, does, is an understatement. Stidham gave Schwartz 30 days' notice and began making plans to start his own practice across town. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a159b8aee1210a8 But one thing, I didn't kill their father. 48 Hours: Who Was Susan Bermans Mob Boss Father? Becky and Dr. Schwartz had met in the late 1990s through a dating service, and were a committed couple. They also had witnesses state how she talked about the money she stood to gain once Robert died. "48 Hours" brought Dyer back to New Mexico to tell the story of that day in 1961 with Schwartz, who was 21 and a college dropout. If not, here's a few bucks a month for your phone bill.'". "I didn't even know about it until after his death.". "He was dedicated to medicine like no physician I've ever known. [5], In 2001, Stidham answered an ad Bradley Schwartz had placed in a trade journal seeking someone to care for the pediatric patients in his Tucson ophthalmology practice,[6] Arizona Specialty Eye Care. He never mentioned anything -- anything in his statement to the police about Rebecca Schwartz being in any way responsible for the death of her husband," said DeVlaming. Friends said Schwartz's wife died of cancer several years ago and their three children are away at college. Your IP: Schwartz.". He just had this kind of dark side to him that you couldn't quite put your finger on it," Dyer explained. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. "There's some folks who think that his past was being used against him," said Florin. And he says the only reason he was in the house that morning was because Becky Schwartz sent him there. I had no revenge or nothing.". During questioning, Clara initially claimed she thought Kyle was joking when he talked about killing Robert. And I made two runs because I'm -- I'm in construction site job, $125,000 job. He was living in a rural farmhouse outside of Leesburg, Virginia, at the time of the incident. WebDr. And -- you know, and then I think she was gone after she drank the beer. And the reason it's hogwash is Leo says that he looks in the bag and he sees a butcher knife. [7][12] A Phoenix-based ophthalmology group had hired Schwartz to open an office in Tucson. But they then began to focus on the Schwartz's longtime employee and contractor, Anton Leo Stragaj. "Quite a life," Van Sant remarked. Three days after He then moved to Dallas, Texas where he entered a residency program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School's internal medicine department. Hulbert, 19, of Millersville, Md., wrote in a confession that he killed Schwartz to protect Clara Schwartz from abuse. Although she was instructed not to discuss their interview with Schwartz, she told Schwartz about the investigation and interview within the following 24 hours. WebOn December 8, 2001, Robert Schwartz was stabbed to death with a sword at his Leesburg, Virginia farmhouse. And, deVlaming points out, even Stragaj's alibi was shot down by police, who checked his cell phone records. you're not gonna get my money.'". She remains incarcerated at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women in Troy, Virginia, and will be eligible for release in 2043. Please enter valid email address to continue. She -- she staged this. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for conspiracy to murder Stidham. "[15] Under the terms of the probation, Schwartz was barred from writing prescriptions for narcotics, required to check in with the board each day, and subject to random drug tests. [3], On the evening of October 5, 2004, deputies of the Pima County Sheriffs Department responded to a report of a man down in the parking lot of the North First Medical Plaza where Stidham worked. I said, 'That's impossible.' In fact, according to a police document, one of Schwartz's office workers called police to say: "Rebecca was blackmailing Dr. Schwartz by withholding information that could ruin his career.". "If evil is to the left, good is to the right. He is obsessed with movies, comic books, and television shows, and he spends much too much money on collectibles. "Dad was always a role model to me and what I've always told everyone, 'If I could be half the physician he was, that would be a successful life," Carter Schwartz told "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant. Nearly $500 was missing from the They looked into his family first and soon learned of his youngest daughter, Clara. WebDuring the past 10 years, Dr. Ernst von Schwarz developed a stem cell anti-aging system for facial, body and hair rejuvenation as evidenced by clinical studies, which is used worldwide by thousands of patients treated by Dr. von Schwarz. "Was there blood on the knife?" [24][25] Another inmate was convicted of aggravated assault for beating up Schwartz. Anton Stragaj remained in the Pinellas County Jail Thursday without bond. After all was said and done, Kyle was convicted guilty of his role in the crime. Van Sant asked Carter Schwartz. The Perfect Murder: The Devil Made Me Do It focuses on how Clara manipulated three other people into helping with her fathers murder. "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. Then, in August 2001, she began dating Patrick House, who later testified against her at trial. I mean, I don't think any of us were, really," said Dyer. [21] Other arguments Storts used revolved around discrepancies between the time of death, Bigger's whereabouts, and the fact that the $10,000 had seemingly vanished. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Through a family friend, Ben confirmed that in that conversation he told his mother it was a crazy idea that she shouldn't even joke about. "It was feeling numb when people describe it. Kyle later indicated that after Clara informed him of the situation, he felt compelled to take action. "Would you look out and see, 'All this money is going to Rebecca and her children. But the robbery of Dr. Cook went terribly wrong. WebIn 1961, 21-year-old Steven Schwartz robbed and murdered a dentist in Hobbs, New Mexico. [14] Schwartz also wrote prescriptions to his office manager, Laurie Espinoza, who would retrieve the medication and give it to Schwartz. Kyle, then 18, had a history of mental illness and had spent time in psychiatric institutions as a child. Phillip Dyer, who drove Schwartz to the scene, but backed out before the crime, July 29, 2017 / 11:25 PM Stragaj says he worked on all the Schwartz's homes, including the mansion they lived in. She settled that suit for an undisclosed amount. "Other accounts in only her name. [12] When he received word that Stidham was still recruiting patients, Schwartz became angry and even directly told his girlfriend, Lourdes Lopez, and other friends that he wanted to kill Stidham. "And greedy, just greedy to the point of it being absurd almost," said Carter Schwartz. I wouldn't put anything past her. 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