No Prison Time: Judge Spares Ferrari Driver in Teaneck Crash That Killed Beloved 92-Year-Old Man
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Franklin Lakes NJ, A controversial sentencing in Bergen County, New Jersey, has ignited a fierce debate over justice and accountability after a Franklin Lakes man was granted probation instead of prison time for a deadly vehicular crash.
Scott Lieberman, the driver of a high-performance Ferrari Competizione, was sentenced to five years of probation for the June 2022 crash in Teaneck that resulted in the death of 92-year-old Albert Schnellbacher. This decision came despite the prosecution’s impassioned request for a three-year prison term.
The Crash: Recklessness and a High-Powered Car
Lieberman, a Franklin Lakes resident and successful businessman, had pleaded guilty in July to third-degree vehicular homicide, admitting that his reckless driving caused the fatal collision.
He confessed to speeding in his $500,000 Ferrari and striking Schnellbacher’s Chevy Equinox as the elderly man attempted to make a left turn. The victim, Albert Schnellbacher, was a beloved family man, a Broadway singer, and was reportedly out buying champagne to celebrate his grandson’s engagement when he was killed.
Assistant Prosecutor Christine Howland argued that Lieberman’s actions were driven by “pure recklessness.” She emphasized that the defendant had put his Ferrari into race mode, a setting intended for closed racecourses, and that the speed at which he was driving on a side street in Teaneck was “offensive.”
“A life was stolen that day; a life was taken that day by pure recklessness,” Howland stated, arguing that the car was turned into a weapon and that a “real penalty” was needed.
Judge’s Decision: Mitigating Factors Outweigh Prison Time
When delivering the sentence, Judge Kevin Purvin acknowledged the victim’s extraordinary life and the deep loss felt by his family. However, the Judge ultimately ruled that the defense’s mitigating factors were compelling and that Lieberman was a suitable candidate for probation.
In addition to the five years of probation, Lieberman’s sentence includes:
- 200 hours of community service within the first two years.
- A one-year license suspension.
Lieberman’s attorney, Paul Faugno, conceded that the Schnellbacher family views his client as an “arrogant, remorseless jerk” for “being a big shot in the Ferrari.” Yet, Faugno countered by portraying Lieberman as a dedicated, remorseful businessman who built his company from the ground up.
Lieberman offered his own tearful apology, telling the family, “I am so deeply sorry for the pain and loss I caused your family.” His attorney also highlighted the defendant’s offer to set up a memorial bench and to cover any difference between his insurance payout and the settlement amount in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Schnellbacher’s widow.
Victim’s Family Speaks Out Against Sentencing
The courtroom drama peaked with the victim impact statement from Schnellbacher’s widow, Elfriede. She condemned Lieberman’s perceived attempts to shift blame and delivered a heartbreaking plea for justice.
“If you walk out of this courtroom celebrating your freedom and go on with your married life,” she said, “it will be the final insult to my husband’s life.”
The ruling has left many observers questioning the judicial system’s balance between personal factors and the severity of a life-ending reckless act.
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I guess if you have money you get special treatment.
We’ll are missing the fact here. Mr. Lieberman Choose a plea guilt due to, this case can be prolonger for years to come which will not be healthy for neither party involved. DONT FORGET THE CAR HAS NO BRAKES when the accident happen, Why not asking and QUESTIONING FERRARI.
The victims family would get justice in a civil suit…. easily
Among bicycling and pedestrian advocates it is known that the best way to kill someone in the United States is to use your car. As long as you aren’t impaired by drugs or alcohol the chances of serving jail time are minimal. Even in a case like this where the killer was clearly driving recklessly, society and judges think of it as an “accident”.
That judge should be barred from practicing law. Mitigating factors like community service and only a 1 year license suspension doesn’t bring back a life that this reckless driver stole.
System is broken
Not fair.