Education
Neulander graduated from Trinity College in 1963.
Neulander graduated from Trinity College in 1963.
He is currently serving a prison term of 30 years to life in Trenton, New Jersey. Neulander was the founding Rabbi of the Congregation M"Kor Shalom Reform Temple in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, United States, which opened in the summer of 1974. Previously, he had been the assistant Rabbi at Temple Emanuel, also in Cherry Hill.
The case became a media circus and was broadcast live on CourtTV. In February 1995, he resigned as Rabbi from Congregation M"Kor Shalom.
At the time of his wife"s murder, Neulander had been involved in a two-year-long affair with Philadelphia radio personality Elaine Soncini. The affair began after he visited Soncini"s Jewish husband, Ken Garland, in the hospital and later officiated at Garland"s funeral.
Tried before Judge Linda G. Baxter, the first trial resulted in a hung jury. lieutenant had been empaneled in Camden County.
Area newspapers reported rumors that the panel hung 9-3 in favor of guilt.
Due to the intense media coverage in Camden County, the re-trial was moved to Monmouth County. In Monmouth, Fred Neulander was found guilty. Neulander"s son Matthew, whose testimony at the first trial had been lukewarm, was by the time of the second trial thoroughly convinced of his father"s guilt, which was reflected in his testimony.
Following the verdict, Assistant Prosecutor Jim Lynch submitted to the jury the question of whether or not the death penalty should be sought.
The jury panel decided not to recommend the death penalty. Neulander was sentenced to serve 30 years to life at the New Jersey State Prison in Trenton.
In an interview by American Broadcasting Company"s Barbara Walters after his incarceration, he told her “You have no idea how much rage I have.” He was also saddened that two of his three adult children testified against him. In December 2006, the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Courts denied Fred Neulander"s appeal.
His appellate counsel had argued that the trial Court had erred in not permitting Neulander to argue a third party liability defense based on a similar home invasion burglary murder that had occurred in Cherry Hill.
He is currently incarcerated in the New Jersey State Prison.
At the re-trial, Neulander was defended by Mountain. Holly attorney Mike Riley.