Grand jury indicts ex-Ramapo podiatrist who allegedly tried to kill his wife for a second time
It's been two years since Ira Bernstein, a former foot doctor, was released from prison for trying to hire someone to kill his wife, Susan, in 2016.
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A Rockland grand jury has indicted a man for allegedly trying to have his wife killed – again.
It's been two years since Ira Bernstein, a former foot doctor, was released from prison for trying to hire someone to kill his wife, Susan, in 2016.
The now 49-year-old Montebello man has been indicted again for an alleged second murder-for-hire hit on her between July and September of 2022.
During the first attempt, his girlfriend was in on the plot and served four years in prison.
The Rockland County District Attorney's Office says Bernstein’s 40-year-old sister, Jaclyn Goldberg, of Bedford, is facing charges for allegedly conspiring to help with the latest scheme.
The brother and sister were indicted by a Rockland grand jury and arraigned before Judge Robert Prisco.
In 2018, Susan Bernstein stood next to Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, advocating for a new law for longer punishments for those who conspire to commit murder.
"It's beyond appalling that convicted criminals can be in prison for only a handful of years for a guilty plea of conspiracy for attempted murder,” she said.
The legislation is still not a law.
According to the Rockland County district attorney, Ira Bernstein has been charged with multiple counts of criminal solicitation, tampering with physical evidence and conspiracy. Jaclyn Goldberg faces tampering with physical evidence, hindering the prosecution and conspiracy charges.
They are scheduled to be back in court on June 23.
Elizabeth Santiago, CEO of the Center for Safety & Change, issued a statement to News 12 that said in part:
"Domestic violence is a pervasive crime, and must be treated as such. The Rockland County District Attorney’s Office in the Ramapo Police Department are doing their part, however the technicalities within the laws needs to change."
