Wil Florin: When did you first start -- this is her own son you're -- and that -- that you're concerned -- your husband -- that his mother is setting him up for the murder? You know, everything was just over the top with her," said April Cox. Your IP: Ex-Girlfriend Speaks Out", "Murdered: a popular young doctor lay dead, the prime suspect: a fellow physician", "Before a Hearing Officer of the Supreme Court of Arizona", "Doctor was killed in his car, though it was found miles from body", "Jurors: Hit man duped into murdering doctor", "Does the name 'Brad Schwartz' ring a bell? "It happened the day before Thanksgiving of 1961, November" said Phillip Dyer. So, if youre curious about what transpired, dont worry. Schwartz began to reassure Bigger that he had his money. [20], Schwartz and Bigger were both charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. I didn't call the police that day. Lead prosecutors Sylvia Lafferty and Richard Platt also brought in a more sophisticated DNA analysis than the one used for the Schwartz trial. [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. But her one-time friends, April Cox and Patrick Olive, who helped her manage the Schwartz properties, say Becky could also be a tough cookie. Clara was convicted of first-degree murder in her father's death. Van Sant asked Carter Schwartz. Stragaj said, "I think she murdered him.". "As I read these stories, you know, he didn't want to give 'em his money," Cecil explained. James Cecil, a local auctioneer in Hobbs for decades, was a patient of Dr. Cook back then. As Meredith lay recovering in the hospital from her suicide attempt with prescription drugs, she had a surprise visitor: Becky. [3], Prosecuting attorney Sylvia Lafferty pointed to Schwartz's cell phone records, which showed that he received calls from a payphone at a Denny's across the street from Stidham's office. "Her. Many individuals took the stand, including ex-girlfriends, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances, many of whom confirmed that Schwartz often talked about his hatred for Stidham. Katherine was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, receiving a 1-year jail term. Because unbeknownst to him, his father had already changed his estate plan a year earlier, leaving his entire fortune to Becky and nothing for his own children. And she said, 'You know why I did it,'" said Stragaj. But could that murder 55 years ago, which had been a closely-guarded secret, have somehow played a role in the murder of Dr. Schwartz? [2] Bradley Alan Schwartz, also a pediatric ophthalmologist, and Ronald Bruce Bigger, a hit man, were arrested and convicted for the murder. He said that Clara created a fantasy role-playing game called Underworld, where he played an assassin and a bard. Text (586) 939 -1122. They waited as Kyle went in and killed Robert and drove away with him after that. At the time, Clara was friends with Katherine, and Katherines boyfriend, Michael Pfohl. "Said, 'No, you'll have to shoot me. Stragaj is not the only one suspicious of Becky Schwartz. Michele, her sister, said in court, Its been nothing but a nightmare since the first day I found out. Records indicate that he remains incarcerated at the River North Correctional Center in Independence, Virginia. "And why would she want you dead?" DeVlaming denies Stragaj's claims that Becky ever asked him to kill Schwartz or his son, Carter. Instead, they found Dr. Schwartz in a pool of blood. In 2007, the Arizona Supreme Court officially disbarred her for her connection to the drug case. Clara was the youngest of Roberts three children; she had an older brother and sister. Pima County paid the entire amount on behalf of Paul Skitzki. But as for Dr. Schwartz's dark past. "He was my doctor and my wife's doctor. In one of the messages, she said that if Kyle committed the murder, she didnt want it to be traced back to her. A Loudoun County [6], Because of the indictment, Schwartz lost his medical license[3] and entered into rehab. "She asked me to find somebody," said Stragaj. Kyle, then 18, had a history of mental illness and had spent time in psychiatric institutions as a child. I'm not the man," he said. WebWhen Robert Schwartz was found murdered at his home in 2001, investigators had reason to believe the attack was targeted. Schwartz.". To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. Van Sant asked. Who else besides you would know that that hard drive was there?" Clara allegedly used Kyle to do her will, according to the prosecution. Soon, they were led to his youngest daughter, Clara Schwartz, who seemed to be at the center of it all. [14] He also became addicted to Ritalin. "I mean, you're just outta the picture.". Family friend Anton Leo Stragaj, who was hired to manage the 38 rental properties owned by Schwartz, was charged with first-degree murder. Her boat's name is 'Exit Strategy'?'" "I heard the door open. "I told him-- I said, 'I want nothin' to do with this. "What does the DNA evidence tell you?" LARGO, FL While Anton Stragaj awaits trial in the 2014 murder of Tarpon Springs Dr. Steven Schwartz, his wife is now behind bars in the very same jail on unrelated charges. 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. Robert was born on May 13, 1944. A year later he switched to ophthalmology. "Now, you tell me; what kind of person does that?" She is into money like you and I are into breathing air," he replied. "It's hogwash. Both the prosecution and the defense attacked Schwartz's character. Clara was sentenced to serve 48 years in prison on February 10, 2003. "Drinking the beer at 9:00 a.m. definitely not something". Becky's son, Ben, had ongoing drug issues, according to Carter. "I think I was preyed on by the most calculated, malicious, vindictive, pathological liar of a woman I have ever met in my entire life," she said. "Oh, I imagine he had maybe $1,000 or more at the time on him," Cecil said. "I've never seen him move so quickly and he was a man who he could have the biggest argument in the world with you but he was very professional," Carter replied. His friend and medical partner, Dr. Robert Patton, admired him greatly. '", "Becky has lied about her children," Meredith said. Used, Florin theorizes, by Becky Schwartz to blackmail her own husband for millions. "Dr. Schwartz's son," Van Sant interrupted. " And she was rubbing her hair. According to Patrick, Clara asked him to kill Old Guy, and he initially thought it was only game-related. Call (586) 939 -1122. "I kept telling him -- I said, 'it's like you've checked out of our marriage and I don't understand. He also noted that his vision had been permanently damaged. "She's just trying to lay low and find a path.". [3] Other reports suggest that Schwartz was planning to open a plastic surgery practice[8] or, at least, another office on the north side of the city. Dana Nichols: Just me knowing her and things that she's done before. She will be formally sentenced Jan. 21. Katherine received a one-year prison sentence after being convicted guilty of a murder conspiracy. The trial ended up painting Schwartz as an extremely manipulative individual, causing the jury to feel sympathy for Bigger. But when Schwartz's colleagues planned one. I think that that cloud is always there that they may arrest her," attorney Kym Rivellini said. But still, I can't see Leo hurting Dr. Schwartz. I think he turned it into a positive. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for conspiracy to murder Stidham. "Yeah, that was definitely not normal," said Olive. " One of them, Katherine Inglis, provided extensive information regarding Claras involvement with the slaying. Dyer, the accomplice, went to prison for a year. 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. She said she had left the house that morning without her handbag. The wrongful death lawsuit claims their stepmother and Stragaj conspired to murder Schwartz, whose estate is worth at least $10 million, for financial gain. The lawsuit also claims that Becky Schwartz was embezzling funds from her husbands medical practice. I think he did everything he could to pay back society," he said. 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. "I seen, like, jewelry boxes and one knife on the bag," said Stragaj. "Yes, sir. A former college student was found guilty Tuesday of first-degree murder for enlisting a friend to kill her scientist father with a sword. Its hard enough it was my father, but on top of that to have my sister committing such a horrible crime. In February 2003, then 20 years old, Clara was sentenced to serve 48 years behind bars. In September 2003, he was sentenced to life behind bars. "There's always that possibility," said deVlaming. Becky and Dr. Schwartz had met in the late 1990s through a dating service, and were a committed couple. Van Sant asked. DeVlaming says all the evidence points to Leo Stragaj. So I run and get in the car, and when I look inside -- get a look at his face when I get in. "And he said, 'Let me borrow $300 outta your paycheck.' Powered by WordPress.com VIP. [28] Although the original case sought $20 million in a claim against the county, Mrs. Stidham settled for $2.29 million in 2007. WebThats until the beloved doctor, 74-year-old Steven Schwartz, was found murdered in the couple's sprawling waterfront Tarpon Springs home. Schwartz, a prominent local nephrologist, was found dead in On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Rebecca Schwartz: I walked in the bedroom, into the closet and all the drawers were opened. In the same game, there also existed a character named Old Guy that signified Robert. "Who do you think did? "I make mistake. "I build. Bigger's defense attorney, Jill Thorpe, tried to prove that it was Schwartz who had actually physically committed the murder. Lourdes Lopez, Barbara LaWall, and Pima County were dismissed from the suit as part of the settlement. Samuel Booth Murder Case Where Is James Thomas Wood today? I want the people responsible for this to be held both criminally and civilly liable," Carter Schwartz said. [3], On October 15, police captured Bigger who was hiding just outside Tucson. "But is the suggestion -- the possibility that Rebecca Schwartz may have said to him, 'If you don't transfer everything in the estate over to me, I will make this deep dark secret public. "I said to them, 'Please, do not overlook anyone in this family just because they're related.". Schwartz, Dyer says, may have had some gambling debts to pay off. [4][20] Bigger had previously been convicted of criminal recklessness, check deception, and possession of marijuana in LaPorte, Indiana and was a fugitive from that state. She planned it for a long time," Stragaj replied. The nature of the crime shocked many, and the murder weapon was believed to be a 27-inch sword. Their trials are set for early next year. Patrick Olive and April Cox say that around 9 a.m., Becky unexpectedly showed up at their house. "I was there. One of these phone calls included Bigger repeatedly asking, "Where is my money? Dr. Schwartz is six foot three. The events surrounding the 2004 murder were broadcast on the Investigation Discovery series Solved in October 2008. Police arrived and quickly entered the home looking for a possible intruder. [7][12] A Phoenix-based ophthalmology group had hired Schwartz to open an office in Tucson. "That's like stealing money out of the donation tray at church," Dr. Patton remarked. They interviewed Becky and Ben. [6] The couple moved to Indianapolis where Stidham undertook a fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus at Indiana University. "Did you remove the hard drive from that security camera" Van Sant asked. 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. The 37-year-old was arrested in March 2015 on first-degree murder charges in connection with Schwartzs murder. But the robbery of Dr. Cook went terribly wrong. 88.218.193.20 "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. There was a potential eyewitness of sorts -- the elaborate security camera system in the mansion -- something only Stragaj, Becky and family members knew about. "The only one that can really answer that question is Dr. Schwartz himself," said Wil Florin. I really did. "They've got to trash her. He then moved to Dallas, Texas where he entered a residency program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School's internal medicine department. [7] He worked at a hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania prior to relocating with his family to Tucson in the late '90s. I think now I can relate to what they mean by that -- just a feeling of helplessness," Carter replied. But Stragaj insists he didn't do itthat Becky was the culprit. [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. But they then began to focus on the Schwartz's longtime employee and contractor, Anton Leo Stragaj. "Rebecca handles the business and she called me 'son' for four years," he said. Van Sant asked Carter. "In one of the articles, it said she got married in 2010. [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. 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