It took the jury fewer than 24 hours, in the wrongful death civil suit, to determine that Adam Shacknai is responsible for the 2011 death of Rebecca Zahau, contrary to what investigators had previously determined to be death by suicide.
The jury decision in favor of the Zahau family in the civil case was split 9-3. The jury has awarded the family over $5 million for the loss of their daughter. Adam Shacknai does not have the wherewithal to pay this amount and his millionaire brother Jonah, who was the boyfriend of Zahau has said, “He will not give the family a dime,” according to the Zahua family’s attorney, C. Keith Greer during the press conference following the verdict.
The jurors began deliberating just after 11:30 am on Tuesday, April 3 after six weeks of witnesses testifying. When witness Jonah Shacknai was asked if he had ever seen his brother Adam act in a violent way, his response was, “Never… it’s inconceivable.” The majority of the jury disagreed as did the majority of people I randomly surveyed who were familiar with the public information surrounding the case. As the verdict was read, Zahau’s sister, Mary Zahau-Loehner, and attorney Greer embraced and wiped tears from their eyes. During the press conference, a reporter asked what Greer thought would have been Rebecca’s last words to the jury and he said that, “Help my mother, hold Adam Shacknai accountable for what he did” came to mind. Mary and Rebecca’s mother now hope to move forward after all of these years fighting to prove it was murder and not suicide. It is still the family’s hope that there will be a criminal investigation.
As reported previously, the San Diego County Sheriff’s department is confident that their investigation was complete and thorough. There now is the question of the possibility of a new investigation. When asked for comment shortly after the jury’s decision, the SD Sheriff’s Department’s response was that there wasn’t one. Later in the day the following statement was released:
“The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is aware of the recent verdict in the Rebecca Zahau wrongful death civil suit. We have cooperated with all parties on the presentation of evidence and testimony during the trial. Our thoughts are with the Zahau Family as they relive the tragic death of their daughter and sister, Rebecca. In regards to the criminal investigation, the Sheriff’s Department stands by the findings of the Medical Examiner’s Office and our investigators. These findings were supported by forensic evidence and medical examinations. We are always open to reviewing any evidence that could impact our conclusions. Additionally, we are also willing to meet with the Zahau Family to look at any new evidence that came out of the civil trial.”
San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said that he “was rather surprised by the verdict,” and “I’d talk to Mr. Greer about it and what he has to offer. If there was something we missed or misinterpreted by our homicide detail or the medical examiners, I’d be more than happy to reopen it.”
While many are saying they are so glad he has been found guilty, “guilty” is not correct. Guilty is not a verdict in a civil trial. Adam Shacknai has been found to be responsible for Rebecca’s death, but not in a criminal sense; which means that unless the case is reopened by the Sheriff’s department some may believe he got away with murder. There were others present in the courtroom though that said, “There was no evidence to prove he did it.” And had they been on the jury they would not have voted that he was responsible.
Adam Shaknai says he plans to appeal the disappointing verdict. He told reporters outside of the courthouse, “I am standing tall. I am not worried about these posers. They got away with something once. They got lucky. I don’t think they are going to get lucky again.” Just as many residents of Coronado have shared on Facebook that they think he’s the one who got lucky in so many words. It seems clear the fight is not over and the truth of what happened on July 13, 2011 at the Spreckels Mansion may never be known.
