THE SUSPECT: JOEL STEINBERG
Joel Barnet Steinberg was born on May 25, 1941. As a child, he lived in the Bronx until his family moved to Yonkers when he was a teenager. He studied at Gorton High School, graduating with a mediocre record and enrolled himself in Fordham University where he graduated in 1962 with a degree in Political Science. He then attended New York University Law School but dropped out in 1964.
The next year, he joined the Air Force and was discharged honorably as a lieutenant in 1968. He then continued Law School and graduated in 1970. He was admitted to the bar without taking the bar exam through a special program that made an exception for students whose studies have been interrupted by their service in the military. His grades, however, were less than average and some question his ability as a lawyer.
The next year, he joined the Air Force and was discharged honorably as a lieutenant in 1968. He then continued Law School and graduated in 1970. He was admitted to the bar without taking the bar exam through a special program that made an exception for students whose studies have been interrupted by their service in the military. His grades, however, were less than average and some question his ability as a lawyer.
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Steinberg handled criminal cases during his early career, particularly drug cases. However, according to one of his clients, John Novack, Steinberg was an avid user of drugs himself. "He was constantly talking about drugs, asking everyone to get him drugs", said Novack. Steinberg denied this accusation.
One of his first law partners, Brian C. Baker, commented about Steinberg: "I'm not sure you could become friends with him, ultimately. The word manipulative comes up most in my mind." Most of the people who knew Steinberg described him as withdrawn and sometimes hostile, and some have recounted incidents in which Steinberg was verbally abusive to women.
One of his first law partners, Brian C. Baker, commented about Steinberg: "I'm not sure you could become friends with him, ultimately. The word manipulative comes up most in my mind." Most of the people who knew Steinberg described him as withdrawn and sometimes hostile, and some have recounted incidents in which Steinberg was verbally abusive to women.