Death of a "Jewish American Princess": The True Story of a Victim on Trial [Hardcover]

Shirley Frondorf (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 12, 1988

The TRUE Story of a Victim on Trial.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1982, a sensational murder trial in Phoenix, Ariz., reverberated throughout the legal community. Restaurateur Steven Steinberg, who killed his wife by stabbing her 26 times, was acquitted; his legal defense portrayed the victim as an overpowering "Jewish American Princess" whose excesses may have provoked her violent end. Examining the structure of the defense's case, Frondorf, an attorney who was previously a psychiatric social worker, follows the theme that made Elana Steinberg the villain, instead of the victim, of the piece. The Steinberg marriagehe was a compulsive, frequently indebted gambler, she was a compulsive shopper and decorator of their showcase housewas ostensibly compatible. The defense's forensic presentation, bolstered by testimony from psychiatrists, maintained that Steinberg committed the crime while sleepwalking, an abnormality allegedly brought on by the intemperate spending of his wife. Frondorf recreates the trial whose outcome scarred the tightly knit Jewish community of Phoenix. Photos not seen by PW. Major ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 281 pages
• Publisher: Villard (June 12, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394568540
• ISBN-13: 978-0394568546
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,105,132 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Trying to make sense out of the senselessness...., April 24, 2001

By 

L. Quido "quidrock" (Tampa, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Death of a "Jewish American Princess": The True Story of a Victim on Trial (Hardcover)

is what Shirley Frondorf does in her "after the fact" narrative of the famous Steinberg trial in Scottsdale, Arizona. Along the way, she gives those of us who have visited or lived in Scottsdale a good feel for what it was like in the '70's. The book appears to be an accurate accounting of what can happen when the victim is put on trial in criminal court and the prosecutor underestimates the defense. Although that is the primary reason for Steinberg going free from his brutal crime, Frondorf accurately describes all the lucky coincidences that fell into place in this miscarriage of justice. I can only imagine what it must be like to be one of the "players" in this story to review the events as detailed in the book. The shame and denial that must take place for the defense witnesses and the officers of the court that allowed such a farcical outcome are too hard to imagine. An interesting read regarding small town justice, compulsive gambling, and complete with some human interest pictures from the events, the "Dof a JAP" will hold your interest and make you wonder for years to come.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Read It Again, November 23, 2009

By 

M. E. Almeida (Phoenix, Arizona USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Death of a "Jewish American Princess": The True Story of a Victim on Trial (Hardcover)

I read this book shortly after is was first published, back in the 80's and I've never forgotten it. Partly because it's so well written and also because at the time, it didn't seem so unbelievable. I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, which is just a few minutes away from Scottsdale, and I can tell you the very little was mentioned in the press about the crime nor the trial. This was very typical of the times in Arizona.

After twenty years, I will be reading this book again.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Expected, but disturbing verdict, December 26, 2007

By 

R. DiLauro (Rehoboth Beach DE) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Death of a "Jewish American Princess": The True Story of a Victim on Trial (Hardcover)

This book was a quick read and, even though I "knew" what the verdict would be, I was disturbed by the unfairness of it all. It was never about whether Steve killed his wife. The jury determined somewhere along the way that his wife deserved what he did to her and her family. And not only was the jury responsible for this unfair verdict, but the unprepared prosecutor and the defense attorneys with the expert witnesses are all responsible. What has happened to our "justice system"? People who commit the worst crimes can continue their lives while destroying others' as long as they can afford good actors and actresses who portray themselves as attorneys and witnesses on their behalf. DISGUSTING!!!