Murray R. Gold Trials: 1976-92 - A Dead Culprit?

Kuntsler introduced the name Bruce Sanford, a dedicated Satanist whom Waterbury police and area psychiatric hospitals had long known for his penchant for violent crime. He had committed suicide in December 1974. Earlier that year, in a custody dispute with his ex-wife, Glorianna, over their five children, Sanford had become convinced that attorney Pasternak was advising her, and on the night of the murders Glorianna had infuriated him by ordering him out of her house. Kuntsler lined up a witness who could testify that Sanford threatened to "get Pasternak."

The prosecution objected. Testimony about a dead man would be hearsay. Judge Robert Wall overruled the objections, and a doctor testified that Sanford suffered from "a maladaptation taking the form of frequent acts of hostility." Another witness testified that Sanford said he was sorry he had to kill Mrs. Pasternak.

After deliberating for five days, the jury stood deadlocked. Judge Wall declared a mistrial.