Hit man in NJ rabbi's wife murder will remain in prison

Admitted killer Len Jenoff









Len Jenoff, an admitted hit man in a notorious murder case here, once hoped to win a reduced prison stay through his cooperation with prosecutors.

But Jenoff, who's been held since April 2000, now must spend at least five more years behind bars for his role in the slaying of Carol Neulander, a prominent Cherry Hill businesswoman and clergyman's wife. The victim's husband, Rabbi Fred Neulander, currently is serving a life term for hiring Jenoff and another man to fatally bludgeon the woman in the couple's Wexford Leas home in November 1994.

Jenoff, who was denied his first bid for parole earlier this year, must wait until Feb. 5, 2016, to apply again, a State Parole Board spokesman said Monday. The former private detective from Collingswood is serving a 23-year term for aggravated manslaughter.

In setting the new date for parole eligibility, a three-member panel cited the "substantial likelihood" that he would commit another crime while free.

The panel noted credibility issues with Jenoff, saying his accounts of the crime "have varied." It also indicated he has "gained no insight" into his actions.

"He believes "every man is capable of murder,' " the decision said. "He focuses on remorse, but it appears it only pertains to the outcome as it affects him, rather than the action which affects the victims and their families."

Jenoff testified at two trials, in 2001 and 2002, that Fred Neulander, now 69, promised to pay $30,000 for his wife's death. Jenoff said he and Paul Michael Daniels of Pennsauken, an associate from an alcohol-treatment program, took turns beating the 52-year-old mother of three with a metal pipe.

Authorities said Neulander, who has a 30-year bar on parole, wanted his wife dead so he could continue an affair.

During testimony, Jenoff said he hoped to receive a minimum sentence of 10 years and to be paroled after two years.

"That was your plan, to get the minimum and be out by now?" Michael Riley, the rabbi's defense attorney, asked during a November 2002 court appearance.

"That's what I was hoping for," replied Jenoff.

Daniels, also serving a 23-year term for aggravated manslaughter, was denied parole in June. A different panel, which also cited the likelihood of future criminal activity, set his new eligibility date at Sept. 25, 2014.

The new dates for both men exceed the presumptive period for inmates denied parole, which is "three years plus or minus nine months," said Neal Buccino, the parole board spokesman.

The board also noted the Camden County Prosecutor's Office opposes parole for Jenoff and Daniels.

Jenoff came forward in April 2000 to confess his role in the slaying. He then secretly recorded an incriminating statement from Daniels, who also testified against Neulander.

Jenoff and Daniels both admitted guilt under plea agreements. However, Jenoff now is seeking to overturn his conviction and sentence.