Larissa Shuster Gets Life for Acid Murder of Husband - Updated

(Fresno, California) The sentencing proceeding yesterday included emotional statements from Larissa Shuster's former husband's family and friends. Then, Shuster's daughter had some harsh words for her mother.

"You've given up all rights as a mother, wife, daughter, friend and woman. You're a disgrace to this family-a pitiful excuse for a human."

Kristin called her father Tim Schuster her rock and best friend, "I pray you're continually haunted at night by the sight and sound of my father fighting for his last breathing moments on this earth. I hope you toss and turn and have horrible nightmares visualizing the horrific act of violence you have committed."

For the conviction of first-degree murder, with special circumstances, Larissa Shuster was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. She was also ordered to pay her victim's burial expenses.

An appeal is planned.

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Wife Murders Husband in Barrel of Acid
[Previous 12/14/07 entry]
(Van Nuys, California) A 47-year-old biochemist, Larissa Schuster, was found guilty this week by a Superior Court jury of murdering her husband, Timothy Schuster, 45. The conviction included a special circumstance provision since the murder was committed for financial gain.

Timothy Schuster's body was found a few days after his death in 2003 when the Schusters, co-owners of a chemical lab, were in the middle of a bitter divorce.

Prosecutors said Larissa Schuster and her former lab assistant kidnapped her 45-year-old husband on July 10, 2003, knocked him out with a stun gun and chloroform-soaked rag, then dumped his bound body headfirst into a barrel while he was still breathing.

The assistant, James Fagone, told authorities that Larissa Schuster then poured hydrochloric acid into the 55-gallon container.

Fagone said Schuster paid him $2,000 to help rob and assault her husband but he didn't know murder was planned. Schuster testified that Fagone killed her husband by accident and that she only helped dispose of the body.

Fagone was convicted in December 2006 of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Schuster is scheduled to be sentenced on January 16th when she faces a mandatory term of life in prison without parole.

Tip: SuidaeEmpathy