Robert marshall case research essay

Research has been shown to have imprisoned Robert Marshall for the death of his wife Maria Marshall. Leaving the casino one night, Robert and Maria had pulled over on the Garden State Parkway highway to fix a flat tire, in a secluded picnic area. Why he went here when a station was less than a mile away, is still unclear. While this was happening, the married couple was attacked, which ended with the death of Maria. Robert Marshall was pistol whipped and knocked out, and when he awoke he found his wife fatally shot twice in the back. Many people believe that Robert was the cause of Maria’s death, and that he had actually hired a hitman to kill his wife. Soon after this, Robert was sentenced to be executed, but spent 18 years on death row until a federal court ruled in 2004 that he had been inadequately represented by counsel during his sentencing. He was re-sentenced to life in prison in 2006.

Much evidence comes to light in this investigation, leading people to believe Robert did have a plan for his wife to be killed and is truthfully guilty. Research has shown that Robert was having an affair during this time, and wanted out of the marriage. Robert’s mistress lady whom he was having an affair with, stated something Robert said 10 months before his wife’s death; “ I swear, if there was a way that I could either do away with or get rid of her, I would.” Robert and Sarann Kraushaar had intended to move in together, causing Robert to leave his highschool sweetheart. Robert took preliminary steps in renting a house in Beach Haven West for that exact purpose.

The Supreme Court’s opinion shows that the earliest evidence of Marshall’s preplanning occurred in 1983. “ According to Investigator Mahoney’s report of the Kraushaar interrogation, she told police of a conversation with Marshall prior to Christmas in 1983 in which, while discussing his financial difficulties, Marshall had observed that “ the insurance on would take care of his debts” and that he “ wished she wasn’t around.” The report indicates that Marshall had asked Kraushaar whether she knew “ of anyone who could take care of it.” Kraushaar had responded by identifying an individual who had been “ in trouble with the law,” but had stated that she “ never wanted to be involved with him if he could do anything like that to his wife.”

Other research has shown that Robert, a prominent insurance broker in Toms River, N. J., had intended to use more than $1. 25 million in life insurance proceeds to pay off over $200, 000 in personal debts. In the summer of 1984, Robert Marshall began to feel the personal financial pressure. Most of his assets, banks and other areas he received loans from, were non liquid and his standard of living far exceeded his annual income. To meet his needs, he received a number of loans from a variety of financial institutions. After the first mortgages on his home and business, Robert had outstanding debts far exceeding $200, 000. In July 1984, a bank had declined his request for $20, 000. Robert did testify to not being insolvent, although in July 1984, Robert sought more insurance, and signed his wife’s name to the application for the policy on her life. To this day it is unknown whether Maria gave Robert consent for this. Also, to ensure the vitality of the policies on life, which, again, totaled $1. 25 million, Marshall paid the August premium on her life but deferred payment on his own policy until after she died. The testimony of co-defendant Billy Wayne McKinnon was the most incriminating evidence against Robert Marshall.

Billy McKinnon, a former sheriff’s officer from Louisiana, was referred to Marshall by co-defendant Cumber, whom Marshall had met at a party in New Jersey in May 1984. Marshall conceded that he had hired McKinnon to investigate his wife, in order to determine whether she knew of his relationship with Sarann Kraushaar, and to attempt to account for several thousand dollars in casino winnings Marshall had given Maria. Marshall admitted that he had met with McKinnon at least twice in Atlantic City, the last meeting occurring at Harrah’s Casino on the night of the murder. McKinnon testified that Marshall had actually hired McKinnon to kill his wife, and not actually to investigate her. “ McKinnon testified that Marshall had paid him $20, 000 or $22, 00 prior to the murder, that an additional $15, 000 was supposed to have been available for him in Marshall’s pockets at the scene of the homicide, and that $50, 000 more was to be paid to him out of the insurance proceeds.”

Further incriminating evidence that was brought up against Robert Marshall was brought up in court, after he was accused of murdering his wife. Robert Marshall began pleading his love for his wife and his endless love for his wife, and highschool sweetheart. The prosecutor against Robert questioned, “ then can you explain to me, sir, why her ashes are still in a brown cardboard box in a desk drawer at the funeral home?” If Marshall Robert truly did care for his wife, he would not have left her ashes untreated and unburied. Leaving them in the funeral home in a cardboard box, unburied, shows that Robert did not truly care for his wife like he says he did! Altogether, the information provided has shown that Robert Marshall is guilty. From the affair that Robert was having with Sarann, along with what she had testified regarding Robert’s suspicious words about his wife. To forging his wife’s signature on her life insurance policy, as Robert was already over $200, 000 in debt, and would’ve attained over $1. 25 million from her life insurance policy. And lastly the testimony of McKinnon, a former sheriff’s officer from Louisiana where he stated that Robert did intentionally hire him to kill his wife.

Altogether the evidence brought about is enough for Robert Marshall to be convicted and charged with the hiring to kill his wife. Also, recently brought about, Larry Thompson, a 72-year-old inmate at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, confessed in April of 2014 to being hit person in the infamous murder-for-hire death of Maria Marshall in September 1984.