Robert Neulander, convicted in 2015 of murdering his wife Leslie, is facing charges again after a federal investigation revealed alleged misconduct during his initial trial. The investigation, sparked by a juror’s brother’s online discussions about the case, uncovered evidence suggesting that a juror, Johnna Spohn, improperly discussed the trial with outside sources and conducted independent research, violating court instructions.
Initially, Neulander’s conviction was overturned due to the juror misconduct, but he was retried and convicted again in 2022. This second conviction is now being challenged due to the new federal charges against Spohn. The charges include obstructing justice and making false statements to the FBI.
Prosecutors allege Spohn deliberately concealed her communication with her brother about the trial, including sharing information and receiving opinions, and falsely claimed she hadn’t researched the case online. These actions, they argue, compromised the integrity of the jury deliberation process. The investigation also revealed that Spohn’s brother, a lawyer, allegedly encouraged her to research the case.
Neulander maintains his innocence. His lawyers are using this new information regarding Spohn’s alleged misconduct to appeal his current conviction, arguing it undermines the fairness of both trials. The outcome of the federal case against Spohn could significantly impact Neulander’s legal battle.
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