The Plot
The carpet cleaner seemed like the perfect guy to ask concerning where to find a contract murderer. He was employed to wash the carpet in the Goldsmith's home when Lee asked him concerning helping her realize someone to kill her son in law. The man said he would see what he may do to assist her out, and instead he informed the police of the plot and received a $750 money reward. The police then devised a arrange to trap Goldsmith into paying an undercover cop for the job. The plan was to fulfill near a restaurant where Lee Goldsmith would provide specific directions on how the murder should be carried out. The supposed victim would be shot in the head and have medicine planted on his body to form it seem like a drug related murder. She paid Thomas Brennen $1,000 up front, and then once the death was confirmed she would pay the remaining $9,000.
On February 8, 1989, David Brownstein kissed his wife Arleen before entering work while not knowing that his life was about to change forever. The police notified him of his mother in law's plans to kill him, and he agreed to play along. The county morgue was also in on the plot. They were told to verify the death of David Brownstein when Goldsmith called. On February 15, 1989, Brennen told Goldsmith that her son in law was dead. She then paid the balance, thanked the officer, and chuckled as she remarked how happy everyone would be "except the one within the morgue." Undercover Police Officers videotaped Lee paying them to kill David while meeting in Lee's CADILLAC. She told the undercover cop that she would have another job for him in six months. She wanted the mother of David Brownstein to possess acid poured onto her face. She laughed and laughed as she described precisely how she wished it done. Police moved in and arrested Lee Goldsmith and charged her with solicitation of first degree murder.
The Trial
Throughout the February 1990 trial, neighbors and friends described Lee Goldsmith as a mild soul who would not hurt anyone. She was described as a civic leader who engaged in fund raising activities and teaching exercise categories to retirees. Milton Goldsmith backed up his wife's story concerning the beatings and letters they received. He stated that they became afraid of Brownstein. Arleen was torn as she was asked if she loved her mother. "To mention I didn't love her would be a falsehood," said Arleen. Meanwhile, Lee Goldsmith looked as if she was falling apart throughout most of the trial. She wept after she described the beating she endured. David Browstein spent 2 hours on the stand denying taking any half in any beating, nor any behavior exhibited toward his mother in law. Lee Goldsmith was found guilty and sentenced to five 1/two years in prison. "Please, God, no," said Lee, collapsing after hearing the verdict. Her husband Milton was distraught.
In June 1995, Lee Goldsmith was released on probation at the age of 73.
Update
The case became a sensation. Once her release from jail Lee and Milton Goldsmith appeared on A Current Affair and the Oprah Winfrey show. The movie Mother Knows Best aired in April 1997.
On Easter Sunday, April thirteen, 2009, I spoke with Lee Goldsmith. She informed me that her husband Milton had fallen, fractured his neck, and never recovered. He died a few months ago. She said nowadays she feels alone and despondent. She is 86 years old. She no longer engages in any fund raising. She spends most of her time at home. Goldsmith and her adopted daughter Arleen have not spoken to at least one another again. Lee Goldsmith and I never talked concerning the crime, and she refers to it only as 'the incident.' She never knew a movie had been made about her. She isn't acquainted with many cable stations, stating "my husband took care of these things." She said she would like to watch it though. She would love on behalf of me to let her apprehend when the movie is on again.
Author Resource:-
Link :
Leslie Mitchell has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in True Crime, you can also check out his latest website about:
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://article2008.com/images/feed-icon.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://article2008.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites