If you're thinking of marrying a biochemist

In summary, a biochemist named Larissa Schuster was convicted of first-degree murder for killing her husband by knocking him out and pouring hydrochloric acid on him. Her accomplice, a former lab assistant, testified that she paid him to rob and assault her husband, but did not know murder was planned. The assistant was also convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole. The trial was moved to Los Angeles due to media attention in Fresno County.
  • #1
dst
380
0
Think twice.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2007/12/12/4721388-ap.html

LOS ANGELES - A biochemist who killed her husband by knocking him out and pouring hydrochloric acid on him was convicted Wednesday of first-degree murder.

A Superior Court jury found Larissa Schuster, 47, of Clovis, guilty of murdering Timothy Schuster with the special circumstance that the murder was committed for financial gain. His half-dissolved body was found a few days after his 2003 death in a barrel that was inside a storage unit that his wife had rented.

Schuster was expected to be sentenced Jan. 16 to life in state prison without possibility of parole.

Defence lawyer Roger Nuttall declined to comment to The Fresno Bee after the hearing. A call to his office by The Associated Press seeking comment after the verdict was not immediately returned.

The trial began in October; it was moved to Los Angeles after a judge ruled there was too much media attention in Fresno County to guarantee a fair jury.

The Schusters co-owned a chemical lab and were in the midst of a bitter divorce.


Prosecutors said Larissa Schuster and her former lab assistant kidnapped her 45-year-old husband on July 10, 2003, knocked him out with a stun gun and chloroform-soaked rag, then dumped his bound body head-first into a barrel while he was still breathing.

The assistant, James Fagone, told authorities that Larissa Schuster then poured hydrochloric acid into the 200-litre container.

Fagone said Schuster paid him $2,000 to help rob and assault her husband but he didn't know murder was planned. Schuster testified that Fagone killed her husband by accident and that she only helped dispose of the body.

Fagone was convicted in December 2006 of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Nasty stuff.
 
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  • #2
That's pretty unimaginative for a biochemist.
 
  • #3
mgb_phys said:
That's pretty unimaginative for a biochemist.

That's what I was thinking. We used hydrochloric acid in high school chem lab.
 
  • #4
moose said:
That's what I was thinking. We used hydrochloric acid in high school chem lab.

it depends how concentrated the acid was
 
  • #5
It's not so much the HCl ( can be nasty if sufficiently concentrated )
It's just that with a wide range of subtle, undetecable poisons to choose from she (allegedly) bashes him over the head and dumps him into a drum of acid!
 

FAQ: If you're thinking of marrying a biochemist

What is a biochemist?

A biochemist is a scientist who studies the chemical processes and substances found in living organisms.

What does a biochemist do?

A biochemist conducts research to better understand biological processes and develop solutions to problems related to health, nutrition, and the environment. They may also work in industries such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and biotechnology.

What skills are important for a biochemist?

Some important skills for a biochemist include a strong foundation in chemistry, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and in a team.

What education is required to become a biochemist?

Most biochemists have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, chemistry, or a related field. Many also have a master's or doctoral degree. Continuing education and research experience are also important for career advancement.

What are the potential career opportunities for a biochemist?

Biochemists have a variety of career options, including working in research and development, quality control, teaching, and scientific writing. They may also work in government agencies, healthcare organizations, or private industries.

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