He served 17 years.
The news strory at the time really made an impression on me. I can still vaguely see Hedda Nussbaum’s flattened face. I don’t think 17 years is long enough.
Has he served his time?
He would do well to stay as far from NYC as he can. His name and deeds are not forgotten. In fact, a tour I took of the Greenwich Village Historic District last year showed us the house and mentioned its age, the Mark Twain thing–and the Joel Steinberg connection, and people still looked angry and grim about the crime. Hell, they even made a Law n’ Order episode out of the case that helps keep it in people’s minds.
I remember this case from when I was young. It seems crazy that he’s out already, though his imprisonement has lasted the better part of my life. I’d like to hope he’s a changed man, but I somehow doubt it.
Of course, the sad thing is, I doubt he’ll have any trouble getting laid once he gets out. That’s a phenomenon that has always mystified me.
I agree. Not nearly enough time… no amount of time could ever bring that little girl back. I thought he deserved life in prison w/o chance of parole.
Come to think about it, how exactly did he survive prison, anyway? I thought child abusers were generally regarded as the lowest of the low, disdained and punished by their fellow murderers, rapists, gang bangers, etc…