Appeals Court Overturns Doctor’s Conviction In Wife’s Murder

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — An appeals court has overturned the murder conviction of a New York doctor in the 2012 death of his wife.

The Syracuse Post-Standard reports that the appellate court voted 3-2 Friday to order a new trial for Robert Neulander. It's not clear if the appeal will go to the state Court of Appeals.

Neulander was sentenced in 2015 to 20 years to life in prison after a jury found he killed his wife, Leslie, in the couple's Syracuse-area home.

The appellate court ruled that the trial judge incorrectly affirmed the guilty verdict despite juror misconduct.

A juror had admitted receiving biased texts during the trial. One text from the juror's father read, "Make sure he's guilty."

Neulander's lawyer, Alexandra Shapiro, said her client appreciates the court's "thoughtful decision."

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Information from: The Post-Standard, http://www.syracuse.com