Dr. Yazeed Essa

Case record — Dr. Yazeed Essa

Status

Dr. Yazeed Essa was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 20 years on March 9, 2010.

Background

Dr. Yazeed Essa was a former Ohio doctor and the former Gates Mills doctor in the case. He was married to Rosemarie Essa, the wife and mother of his two children, and the marriage lasted nearly six years. Rosemarie Essa was 38 years old at the time of her death. Dr. Yazeed Essa was 41 years old at sentencing.

Rosemarie Essa was a former nurse. She had two children with Dr. Yazeed Essa: Armand (9) and Lena (7). After Rosemarie Essa’s death, Armand and Lena were raised by Dominic and Julie DiPuccio.

Dr. Yazeed Essa had multiple mistresses mentioned in court, including Michelle Stevens (formerly Madeline) and Marguerita Montanez. The case also included testimony about Jamal Khalife, who lived in Lebanon and was described as a fugitive from his own criminal past, when he took in Yazeed Essa in the summer of 2005.

Family and related people in court included Rosemarie Essa’s parents, Rocco DiPuccio and Gee Gee DiPuccio, and her brother Dominic DiPuccio. Dominic DiPuccio had a statement read aloud that was attributed to “Dominic DiPuccio read a statement he wrote from the perspective of Essa's children,” listing the ways Armand and Lena had grieved in their mother’s absence from holidays and landmark events. Dominic DiPuccio also thanked the jury for their commitment to the case and to finding the truth.

Judge Deena Calabrese was the sentencing judge and also addressed Dr. Yazeed Essa during sentencing.

Prosecutors and counsel included Cuyahoga County prosecutors Bill Mason, Steven Dever, Anna Faraglia, and Matt Meyer. Defense attorneys included Steven Bradley and Mark Marein.

The offence

Rosemarie Essa died after being poisoned with cyanide-laced calcium pills. She died in 2005. The prosecution theory and trial testimony described a cyanide-laced calcium pill given to Rosemarie Essa.

The jury convicted Dr. Yazeed Essa of aggravated murder for poisoning Rosemarie Essa, his wife.

Prosecutors stated that Dr. Yazeed Essa killed his wife on February 24, 2005, to end a marriage that stood in the way of his love affair with nurse Michelle Stevens, formerly Madeline, with whom he worked as an emergency room doctor at Akron General Hospital.

The case included discussion of a calcium capsule similar to the one Dr. Yazeed Essa gave his wife. Jurors requested to examine and pull apart a calcium capsule during deliberations to determine whether it took any special skills to empty the capsules.

Investigation

More than 60 witnesses testified at trial. The investigation included a focus on the suspicious car crash and the calcium pill.

Before the crash, Rosemarie Essa had been driving in the family Volvo. She felt ill, passed out, and hit another vehicle before stopping against a curb.

A friend, Eva Gardner, testified. Another friend mentioned in the account was “Eva McGregor,” who testified about the conversation with Rosemarie Essa before the crash. Eva McGregor testified: “She had taken a calcium pill right before she left theher house. She didn't really want to take it. And she said, as she was in it, you know, rushing out the door, he said, 'Here, take it. Take your calcium.' 'Now, I don't know if that's what's making me sick.'”

Jurors also heard testimony from Rosemarie Essa’s brother Dominic DiPuccio, who was described as having called Eva McGregor to tell her about Rosemarie Essa’s death. Dominic DiPuccio was described as being in disbelief about the calcium pills.

A medical technician in the account was described as having witnessed the accident rushed to the scene and immediately sensed something was not right. Rosemarie Essa began vomiting in the car and quickly lost consciousness. She was rushed to the hospital where Dr. Yazeed Essa was working in the emergency room.

A coroner’s finding concluded the death was a homicide, with evidence of potassium cyanide in Rosemarie Essa’s body. The Akron General Medical Center ruled Rosie's death a homicide, described as occurring on April 18.

The case included discussion of investigators tracing Dr. Yazeed Essa’s activity and international movements during the manhunt.

Arrest and extradition

Dr. Yazeed Essa fled the United States in March 2005 after police questioned him about Rosemarie Essa’s death.

He was arrested in Cyprus on October 7, 2006, for using fake travel documents.

In January 2009, he was extradited to Cuyahoga County, according to the prosecutor’s office.

The account described a manhunt that crossed three continents and ended with the arrest in Cyprus in October 2006, 18 months after Rosemarie Essa’s death.

Trial

Verdict

On March 5, 2010, a Cleveland jury found Dr. Yazeed Essa guilty of aggravated murder for poisoning his wife, Rosemarie Essa, with cyanide-laced calcium pill. The jury deliberated for three-and-a-half days and did not even take their first vote until Friday morning. The jury foreman said: “Two hundred four pieces of evidence.” “And giving him the benefit of the doubt.”

The jurors and alternates addressed the media and family and friends after the verdict.

Evidence and testimony

Jurors heard testimony that Dr. Yazeed Essa had a philandering history and that he had multiple mistresses.

Defense attorneys Mark Marein and Steven Bradley argued that Michelle Stevens was one of many women with whom Dr. Yazeed Essa maintained discreet and casual sexual relationships. The defense also argued that police did not properly eliminate Stevens or another mistress, Marguerita Montanez, as Rosemarie Essa’s true killer.

The defense also attempted to cast suspicion on Dr. Yazeed Essa’s mistresses. Two of the mistresses testified, one saying she never loved Dr. Yazeed Essa and another saying she believed him when he promised to be her soul mate.

A key defense dispute discussed was about whether police properly eliminated Stevens or Montanez as a killer and whether the cyanide in the calcium bottle might have been connected to a tampered or defective bottle.

Testimony from Firas Essa was described as being damning for Dr. Yazeed Essa. It was stated that Firas Essa initially answered prosecutors’ questions evasively but later told jurors that his brother confessed to killing Rosemarie Essa. A juror said: “Initially, he was very controlled and guarded, emotionally and physically,” “When he came back, he seemed to kind of let his guard down and speak the truth.” The jury also described the second testimony as “genuine and real.”

Jamal Khalife testified that Dr. Yazeed Essa bragged daily about having murdered his wife and delighted in his status as one of America's Most Wanted while Khalife lived in Lebanon when he took in Dr. Yazeed Essa in the summer of 2005. The account also describes jurors taking time to read the entire transcript of Khalife’s interview with law enforcement and finding it to be largely consistent with his courtroom testimony.

The trial included discussion of Dr. Yazeed Essa’s facial expressions and a lack of sadness or regret. A juror said: “I was watching him the whole time,” “When your kids aren't there you're going to miss them, you're going to cry. He hadn't seen these kids in five years. But he had no expression, no tears, nothing.” Another juror said: “I looked him right in the face,” “He was just standing there like, 'I think I beat this here.' But uh-uh.” The jury’s discussion included statements describing the 18-month international manhunt ended in Cyprus as “the icing on the cake.”

Sentencing

Sentencing date and sentence

On March 9, 2010, Common Pleas Judge Deena Calabrese sentenced Dr. Yazeed Essa to life in prison with parole eligibility after 20 years.

The initial sentencing account described the sentence as life in prison with no chance of parole for 20 years. The sentencing included a discussion that he received the benefit of committing the crime under old law. The judge stated: “I regret that you have the benefit of committing this crime under the old law,” “You took an oath to preserve life and you destroyed your family,” “I cannot imagine the evil that you have done to these people, especially your children,” “It is my great hope and the only that I can think of at this moment that they forget you ... and that whatever legacy you had is wiped away.” “I cannot imagine the evil you have done to these people, especially your children,” “It is my great hope that they forget you and that whatever legacy you have is wiped away... I am so glad that you will be leaving my courtroom and that I hopefully will never have to look upon you again.”

In the courtroom, Dr. Yazeed Essa was dressed in an orange jailhouse jumpsuit.

Victim family statements at sentencing

Rosemarie Essa’s mother, Virginia DiPuccio, said at the sentencing hearing: “What do you say to a person that murders the mother of his children, a murdering coward with no heart, no compassion, no remorse?” “All she wanted was children and a husband that loved her back and you took that away. She didn't deserve it,”

Dominic DiPuccio and other relatives spoke during sentencing.

Dominic DiPuccio was quoted before sentencing hearing, demanding to hear the story: “Are you man enough?” “Are you? Forget that appeal. Stop wasting your brother's money. This is your last chance to save your soul. Are you a man or not?”

Gee Gee DiPuccio called Dr. Yazeed Essa an evil, murderous coward and wished him misery in his lifetime behind bars. She said: “You see, Yaz, our family has something you don't have,” “Heart, love, compassion and strength in a higher power that will get us through this.”

Rocco DiPuccio spoke about February 24, 2005, and about Dr. Yazeed Essa handing their daughter a contaminated pill. Rocco DiPuccio said: “I've seen a lot of court cases where they talk about closure,” “I never understood that word until now, and I still don't understand it because there is no closure. The only thing I'm hoping is that from now on, maybe there will be less nights when my wife cries herself to sleep.”

Dominic DiPuccio read a statement from the perspective of Essa’s children, and he spoke in the account about fear and confusion in their mother’s absence.

Rocco and Gee Gee DiPuccio described their luck running out on February 24, 2005.

Dominic DiPuccio told the jury about raising Armand and Lena and said he hoped their memories would fade of Dr. Yazeed Essa as their “old dad.”

Costs and reimbursement request

Assistant County Prosecutor Steven Dever asked the judge to order Dr. Yazeed Essa to reimburse taxpayers for $41,000, described as the cost of extraditing Dr. Yazeed Essa from Cyprus when he was captured in 2006 after 18 months on the run. The judge granted the motion.

Indigency and counsel request

Dr. Yazeed Essa’s attorneys, Steven Bradley and Mark Marein, said their client planned to file an appeal. They also asked that he be declared indigent and assigned new legal counsel to work on his case.

Appeals

Dr. Yazeed Essa’s attorneys said he planned to file an appeal after sentencing on March 9, 2010.

Earlier in the case timeline, Dr. Yazeed Essa filed an appeal in February 2008 against being sent to the U.S. and later dropped the appeal in December 2008, described as resulting in him coming home the next month.

Outcome

A jury convicted Dr. Yazeed Essa of aggravated murder for poisoning his wife, Rosemarie Essa, with cyanide-laced calcium pill.

He was sentenced on March 9, 2010, to life in prison with no chance of parole for 20 years.

Other details

Prosecutor and witness interactions; courtroom remarks

Rosemarie Essa’s family referred to her as Rosie. During sentencing, Judge Calabrese asked Dr. Yazeed Essa if he wished to remain silent. Dr. Yazeed Essa answered “Yes.”

A juror described noticing that Dr. Yazeed Essa did not show emotion when the prosecutor projected a photo of Rosemarie Essa with her arms wrapped around the children.

International manhunt and locations mentioned

The account described an international manhunt that crossed three continents and ended with Dr. Yazeed Essa’s arrest in Cyprus in October 2006.

The account described him spending time in Cyprus, Lebanon, Greece, Syria, Miami, and eventually back to Cyprus. It also mentioned Greece, Syria, Miami, and Beirut in narrative passages.

Charges and procedural framing

The conviction was for aggravated murder. The account discussed that Ohio sentencing laws changed to give judges discretion in determining when a convicted murderer is eligible for parole, and that his sentence was affected by the timing of the crime relative to those sentencing law changes.

Legal actors and relatives mentioned

In addition to Bill Mason and Steven Dever, prosecutors included Anna Faraglia and Matt Meyer.

Dr. Yazeed Essa’s brother, Firas Essa, and his sister, Runa Ighneim, were mentioned in connection with helping him escape and with later testimony. It was described that Runa Ighneim mailed an FBI fingerprint card to Dr. Yazeed Essa.

A man named Larry Zukerman was mentioned as being Dr. Yazeed Essa’s lawyer in relation to extradition proceedings. A lawyer named Marios Georgiou was quoted about recourse to the European Court of Human Rights if an appeal was rejected.

The narrative also mentioned a detective named Gary McKee, and a police interaction included that Dr. Yazeed Essa took Detective Gary McKee to his house to hand over the bottle of calcium pills. The account also mentioned a nurse named Christine DiCillo, who had worked with both of the Essa families and who relayed the phone call with Rosemarie Essa to a neighbor and then called in a tip to police.

People and relationships specifically named

• Rosemarie Essa: wife and mother of two children (Armand and Lena); the person poisoned with cyanide-laced calcium pill.
• Virginia DiPuccio: Rosemarie Essa’s mother; she spoke at sentencing.
• Dominic DiPuccio: Rosemarie Essa’s brother; he spoke at sentencing and also read or attributed a statement from the perspective of Dr. Yazeed Essa’s children.
• Rocco DiPuccio: Rosemarie Essa’s father; he spoke at sentencing.
• Gee Gee DiPuccio: Rosemarie Essa’s mother; she spoke at sentencing.
• Armand: age 9; child of Dr. Yazeed Essa and Rosemarie Essa.
• Lena: age 7; child of Dr.
• Eva Gardner: friend who testified.
• Eva McGregor: described as the friend who testified about the conversation with Rosemarie Essa involving the calcium pill.
• Michelle Stevens (formerly Madeline): nurse; referenced as a mistress and in the context of the love affair cited by prosecutors.
• Marguerita Montanez: mistress; identified in the account as being considered by defense as a possible killer.
• Firas Essa: brother of Dr. Yazeed Essa; testified.
• Runa Ighneim: sister of Dr. Yazeed Essa; described in connection with helping him escape.
• Jamal Khalife: person in Lebanon who took in Dr. Yazeed Essa; testified about bragging and drunken or drug-related time.
• Christine DiCillo: a nurse who relayed a phone call tip that helped police.
• Rick Bell: an assistant Cuyahoga County prosecutor mentioned in the narrative.
• Bill Mason: Cuyahoga County prosecutor mentioned as speaking about parole eligibility.
• Steven Dever: assistant county prosecutor referenced as asking for reimbursement and in sentencing courtroom proceedings.
• Deena Calabrese: Common Pleas Judge at sentencing.
• Steven Bradley: defense attorney.
• Mark Marein: defense attorney.
• Anna Faraglia: prosecutor.
• Matt Meyer: prosecutor.
• Michael Sangiacomo: mentioned as contributing to a story.
• Tara Tamsen: described as a medical technician who witnessed the accident.

Parole eligibility statement

The sentencing accounts described that Dr. Yazeed Essa would be eligible for parole in 20 years, and separately that he had no chance of parole for 20 years, reflecting the same parole eligibility timing as stated in the provided text.