Trial begins for Jewishly active N.Y. doctor accused of murdering wife

The jury has been seated in the trial of a Syracuse, N.Y., physician accused of murdering his wife.

By midday Tuesday, the 12 jurors had been picked in the case of Dr. Robert Neulander, 63, who has been charged with second-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. His wife, Leslie, was found dead in the shower of the family’s home in 2012, but the death initially was ruled an accident.

Opening arguments were slated to begin on Tuesday afternoon.

Neulander, who was released on $100,000 cash bail following his indictment in June, has denied the charges.

Both Neulanders were active in the local Jewish community.

The trial in Onondoga County Court is expected to draw a large number of spectators, so court officials opened a second courtroom where viewers can watch a closed-circuit video feed of the proceedings, The Associated Press reported.

In questioning potential jurors, defense lawyer Edward Menkin emphasized that Neulander had no motive to kill his wife. Jurors were also questioned about their ability to view graphic photos, presumably of the victim, and whether such images might affect their neutrality.

The Neulanders chaired the Jewish Federation of Central New York’s annual campaign in 2012. Leslie chaired fundraising events at the Syracuse Hebrew Day School in DeWitt and Robert played a key role in the expansion of the local Jewish community center.

Their four children attended the Syracuse Hebrew Day School.