Nina Reiser (Hans trial)
Linux programmer Hans Reiser murdered his wife Nina during a custody dispute. He led police to her body in the Oakland hills after being convicted, in exchange for a second-degree murder plea.
Nina Reiser, 31, disappeared on September 3, 2006 after dropping her children off at her estranged husband Hans Reiser's home in Oakland, California. Hans was a prominent Linux programmer who created the ReiserFS file system.
Hans's suspicious behavior included removing the passenger seat of his car, scrubbing the interior with water, and flooding his car to destroy forensic evidence. Despite no body, he was charged with murder.
In a highly unusual trial, Hans represented by the famed attorney William DuBois, testified in his own defense for nearly two weeks. His rambling testimony alienated jurors who convicted him of first-degree murder.
After conviction, Hans negotiated to reveal Nina's body in the Oakland hills in exchange for a plea to second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 15 years to life.
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