The Case of Carl Coppolino: A Tale of Jealousy and Murder

In December 1966, a conversation between two women in Florida sparked one of the most hotly contested debates in American legal history. The case involved Dr. Carl Anthony Coppolino, a New Jersey anesthesiologist who was accused of murdering his wife and his ex-lover's husband. But was he guilty, or was he merely the hapless victim of jealous revenge?

Coppolino, aged 30 at the time, had been declared medically unfit for work due to a heart condition. He was supported by a disability benefit, royalties from writing, and the salary of his wife Carmela, who was also a physician. Despite his seemingly comfortable life, Coppolino began an affair with Marjorie Farber, a 48-year-old housewife who looked much younger than her years.

Marjorie's husband William Farber initially tolerated the liaison, but eventually grew resentful. The situation came to a head when Coppolino murdered both his wife and William Farber. But did he act alone, or was he driven by jealous rage?

The case went to trial twice - once in New Jersey and again in Florida. In the first trial, the jury chose not to believe a self-confessed accessory to murder, and instead focused on the contradictory forensic evidence. Coppolino was acquitted.

But in the second trial, a different jury heard the same evidence and arrived at a very different verdict. This time, Coppolino was found guilty of second-degree homicide.

The case highlights the importance of juries attaching weight to an ostensibly discredited witness. Two trials, two verdicts - but which one is correct? The Carl Coppolino case remains a fascinating study in the complexities of human nature and the justice system.

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