Hitmen Apologize At Sentencing

In south Jersey, two hired hitmen were sentenced for killing a rabbi's wife. The pair, Len Jenoff and Paul Michael Daniels, confessed to killing Carol Neulander, on orders of her husband, Rabbi Fred Neulander. "I'm so sorry for what I did, your honor. I hope your honor understands that and will give me another chance at life," Jenoff said.

Jenoff was remorseful as he spoke prior to being sentenced for his part in the murder plot to a crowded courtroom that included the relatives of Carol Neulander.

Jenoff and Daniels confessed to killing the rabbi's wife, but said that Fred Neulander was the mastermind behind it.

"I had for several years worshiped the man. Now I loathe him and pity him," Jenoff said.

Jenoff talked for several minutes, acknowledging that when he bludgeoned Neulander in the living room of her Cherry Hill, N.J. home, he denied her the right to watch her children and grandchildren grow.

"Regardless of what you sentence me to, the rest of my life I will live with this guilt and shame," Jenoff said.

Daniels, diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic with a long history of drug dependence, also addressed the court Thursday.

"I want to apologize to the Neulander family. That it wasn't me at the time. I was on drugs. I was all messed up," Daniels said.

Jenoff and Daniels cooperated in the prosecution of Fred Neulander, and that was taken into account during their sentencing. Both men were sentenced to 23 years, and are eligible for parole in 10 years. With time served, that means they could be eligible for parole in as little as 7.5 years.

Carol Neulander's brother, Ed Litz, told said he wanted both men to get the same sentence as the rabbi.

"No one forced them to enter Carol's home to kill her. They did it for $30,000. Simply put, they took the life of someone who's totally innocent," Litz said.

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