Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!!!

The author details the account of the murder of Elana Steinberg by her husband Steve, a gambler, thief and liar. Steve was under great financial pressure, having quit his job after Elana's brother (who generously employed him) sold his restaurants and the new owners didn't care for Steve's ways. He also owed his bookie thousands.

Steve stabbed Elana to death and then claimed two "bushy-haired" men robbed them, murdered Elana, and gave him a little scratch to his hand. Steve later said he had sleep-walked to the other end of the house, got a knife from a kitchen drawer, walked all the way back to the other end of the house, and attacked a woman screaming and fighting for her life. All without being aware of what he was doing. One of his daughters woke up and he told her "to shut her f***ing door." He then laid three pairs of Elana's panties on the floor to make it look like a robbery. Yes, all while sleepwalking.

His family hired a fantastic lawyer for Steve, who in turn hired two psychologists who basically repeated whatever Steve told them (that Elana was a nagging bitch, and he did everything he could to please her). This was accepted as fact by a jury of idiots, two of which were born-again religious nuts, and one wimp who didn't agree with the rest, but gave in because he wasn't too bright.

The judge (a woman) also allowed Elana's character to be attacked. Several defense witnesses for Steve testified that Elana was a not so nice person and Steve was Mr. Wonderful. The prosecution didn't bother to have any of Elana's real friends testify on her behalf as for some reason, they weren't smart enough to see what was happening. They also didn't bring up Steve's thefts at every place he'd ever worked, the theft of Elana's car and jewelry, his gambling (which had been going on for years and years) as well as shootings and kidnappings underwritten by Steve the psychopath. They just didn't bother. The procecution's psychologists were boring and didn't really care. In other words, the prosecution was lazy and screwed up. The jury was scarily stupid, and so Steve got away with murder, determined to be not guilty by reason of insanity (but judged sane and let go). The judge wasn't much for explanations to the imbecilic jury either - she decided it was going to be murder in the first degree, not guilty, or not guilty by reason of insanity. No second degree or manslaughter for her!

This book is a good example of what a prosecutor should NOT do. And that you'd better check out your jury and see if they've got some brains.

The author did a great job. I really liked the writing style. It's a page-turner. And Elana did not deserve to die like that. The husband was a sociopath at best.
I wish someone would make a tribute page to Elana. There is nothing on the internet about her. Why not ? After the outrageously unfair trial,and after her character was attacked like that by the defense lawyer {and the creepy husband} someone should make an honest tribute to her. I wish someone who knew and cared for Elana would create a website in her memory and so the public would know more about her. It was over 20 years ago but it's not too late to remember Elana. This book will make you feel the same way of you read it. It's a crying shame that there is no
website in her honor and memory.
Let's hope someone will make a website in her memory and let the public know more about her. She should not be forgotten.

This ranks among the best of nonfiction books. The murder is unusual and the outcome is remarkable. The style is engaging and I would gladly read other true crime books by this author.

Elana Singer Steinberg (1947-1981) was found stabbed to death in her home in the suburbs of Phoenix, Arizona. The likely murderer was her own husband, Steven Steinberg. The matrimonial homicide is not unlike the thousands that occur every since 1981 and still get attention. The author does a very good job in developing and explaining the background. I was puzzled and troubled by the fact that violence does not occur in Jewish American families which is really fictional. Dysfunctionality and abuse occurs in all parts of society. We just don't hear about cases involving an upper class couple like the Steinbergs in Arizona or Joel Steinberg/Hedda Nussbaum in New York City.

The author does valiantly explain the Jewish rituals, tradition, and belief system to her readers. For the most part, she doesn't explain why the Steinbergs and their circle never assimilated with non-Jews in their world. Things have changed a lot since 1981 in Phoenix where it has become a huge metropolitan area. Anyway, the book is interesting and paints both sides of the marriage doomed for years heading for disaster. The case is also different because the murdered victim, Elana Singer Steinberg, became defenseless in the courtroom as the defense team savaged her reputation as a nagging, annoying housewife who drove her husband to murder her in their own bedroom.