cover of episode Episode 590: The Murder of Albert Snyder

Episode 590: The Murder of Albert Snyder

2024/8/12
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Ash 和 Alayna 详细讲述了 1927 年阿尔伯特·斯奈德被谋杀的案件。该案的主角是斯奈德的妻子鲁思·斯奈德和她的情人贾德·格雷。两人因经济纠纷和婚姻不和而合谋杀害了阿尔伯特。鲁思·斯奈德最初向警方谎称遭遇抢劫,但警方很快发现其证词与现场证据不符。鲁思和贾德都曾承认参与了谋杀,但互相指责对方是主谋。检方提供了大量的证据,包括保险单、证词和两人的供词,证明这是一起预谋的谋杀案。最终,鲁思和贾德都被判处死刑,并于 1928 年被处决。本案展现了 20 世纪 20 年代美国社会的道德观念和司法制度。 Ash 和 Alayna 深入分析了鲁思和贾德的动机、作案过程以及审判过程中的关键细节。他们探讨了鲁思童年时期的经历对其性格和行为的影响,以及她与阿尔伯特婚姻破裂的原因。他们还分析了贾德的性格和动机,以及他为何参与到这起谋杀案中。此外,他们还讨论了本案中一些引人注目的细节,例如鲁思的谎言、案发现场的布置以及摄影师在死刑现场拍摄的照片。通过对这些细节的分析,Ash 和 Alayna 揭示了这起案件背后复杂的人性因素和社会背景。

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Chapters
Ruth Snyder's accidental phone call to Albert led to a whirlwind romance, marriage, and a child. However, their happiness soon faded, marked by Albert's disinterest and Ruth's desire for more. Amidst a crumbling marriage, Ruth's affair with Judd Gray and a suspicious life insurance policy set the stage for a tragic event.
  • Ruth and Albert's initial connection was a wrong number.
  • Their marriage deteriorated due to incompatibility and Albert's alleged abuse.
  • Ruth took out a large life insurance policy on Albert with a double indemnity clause.

Shownotes Transcript

On the morning of March 20, 1927, nine-year-old Lorraine Snyder was awakened by the sound of gentle knocking at her bedroom door and when she opened it, she found her mother bound and gagged on the floor. According to the girl’s mother, Ruth Snyder, someone had broken into the house in the middle of the night, knocked her unconscious and tied her up, then murdered her husband, Albert. Ruth claimed the motive was robbery, but investigators were immediately suspicious of her. Not only was there no sign of forced entry, but Albert’s murder had been particularly brutal and appeared personal. A day later, when police found Ruth’s supposedly stolen items hidden in the house, her story started to fall apart.

The murder of Albert Snyder had everything depression-era Americans were looking for in a media distraction—sex, extramarital affairs, fraud, and murder. From the moment Ruth and her boyfriend, Judd Gray, were arrested for the murder of her husband, they were thrust into the spotlight and would remain fixtures on the front pages of the papers across New York up to and including the final moments of their lives.

Thank you to the incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research!

References

Beckley, Zoe. 1927. "Ruth Snyder to escape chair, is Zoe Beckley's forecast." Times Union, April 19: 1.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 1927. "Suspect is held after cops grill dead man's wife." Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 21: 1.

Brooklyn Times Union. 1927. "Hid lover in her home, then went to party." Brooklyn Times Union, March 21: 25.

—. 1928. "Ruth and Judd die, she first, in sobs; each is forgiving." Brooklyn Times Union, Janaury 13: 1.

MacKellar, Landis. 2006. The Double Indemnity Murder: Ruth Snyder, Judd Gray, and New York's Crime of the Century. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press.

New York Times. 1927. "Cross-examination of Mrs. Ruth Snyder on her last day on the stand." New York Times, May 4: 16.

—. 1927. "Girl finds mother bound." New York Times, March 21: 1.

—. 1927. "Gray's first story was full of denial." New York Times, March 22: 3.

—. 1927. "Judge warned jury to avoid sympathy." New York Times, May 10: 1.

—. 1927. "Mrs. Snyder and Gray found guilty in the first degree in swift verdict; both to get death sentence Monday." New York Times, May 10: 1.

—. 1927. "Not a cruel killer, Gray writes in cell." New York Times, April 8: 25.

—. 1927. "Says Gray was hypnotized." New York Times, March 26: 9.

—. 1927. "Slayers indicted; Snyder case trial sought for April 4." New York Times, March 24: 1.

—. 1927. "Slayers of Snyder face speedy trial; racant confession." New York Times, March 23: 1.

—. 1927. "Slayers of Snyder hear doom unmoved; put hope in appeals." New York Times, May 14: 1.

—. 1927. "Snyder jury hears Gray's confession accusing woman." New York Times, April 28: 1.

—. 1927. "Snydwer was tricked into big insurance, state witness says." New York Times, April 26: 1.

—. 1927. "Widow on stand swears Gray alone killed Snyder as she tried to save him." New York Times, April 30: 1.

—. 1927. "Wife betrays paramour as murderer of Snyder, and he then confesses." New York Times, March 22: 1.

Sutherland, Sidney. 1928. "Ruth and Judd die in chair, asking for forgiveness for sin." Daily News, January 13: 1.

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