Killer of Cherry Hill rabbi's wife a free man

Paul Daniels walked out of a state prison Wednesday, almost 20 years after he helped kill the wife of a prominent Cherry Hill rabbi.

Daniels, 40, was one of two hit men convicted of the Nov. 1, 1994, slaying of Carol Neulander, a mother of three beaten to death inside her home. The other killer, 69-year-old Len Jenoff, ended his prison term in January.

The 52-year-old victim was killed on orders from her husband, Rabbi Fred Neulander, who wanted to end their marriage of 29 years, authorities said. The rabbi, now 73, is serving a life sentence for murder with no release date in sight.

Haddonfield attorney Craig Mitnick, who represented Daniels, expressed hope Wednesday that his client's life will take a more positive direction.

"Paul Daniels, since he was a very young child, was abused," said Mitnick, who believes psychological damage led his client to trust in Jenoff and take part in the killing. "That caused him to end up in prison and become abused again.

"Paul is a decent human being with a soul. He paid his price. Now hopefully life will give him a break."

Daniels, formerly of Pennsauken, spent more than 14 years in custody for the aggravated manslaughter of Carol Neulander. He and Jenoff both admitted guilt to that charge, receiving 23-year terms in January 2003.

In court appearances, Daniels and Jenoff admitted beating their victim with a metal pipe during a staged robbery. Authorities said the men met in a program for alcoholics and were roommates when Jenoff recruited Daniels into the plot.

Carol Neulander founded Classic Cake bakery and was a well-known community volunteer. After her death, investigators learned her husband, the founder and senior rabbi at Congregation M'kor Shalom in Cherry Hill, had pursued multiple affairs during their marriage.

Carol Neulanders' children requested 30-year terms for Daniels and Jenoff, describing them as "monsters."

At his sentencing, Daniels said addictions played a role in the killing.

"It wasn't me at the time," he told a judge. "I was on drugs. I was on the stuff."

Mitnick said Daniels "was flawed when he did what he did. He was so vulnerable and flawed."

"That's no justification, no excuse, just fact."

Mitnick noted Daniels ultimately helped prosecutors win a conviction against the rabbi, testifying at two trials.

He also said Daniels got prison tattoos shortly before he was sentenced, showing two tears on his left cheek.

"He told me, 'One teardrop is for my mother and one is for Mrs. Neulander.' "

Reach Jim Walsh at jwalsh@courierpostonline.com or (856) 486-2646.