A Long Island man who initially went to the media begging for information about his missing wife—when he actually killed her and covered up the murder—was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison. William Walsh, 31, who pleaded guilty to murder last month, told the family of his dead wife, "If there was any way to change places, I would. I truly am sorry."
Judge Hopes Wife Killer "Will Never Draw A Free Breath"
After Years Of Denial, LI Man Admits He Killed Wife
Two years ago, William Walsh hung posters and made tearful pleas for help in finding his missing wife Leah. Now, after claims that his confession was coerced, he has pleaded guilty to her murder: In court yesterday, Walsh told a judge that he strangled her in a rage as they were arguing about a affair he was having, saying, "I put her in a chokehold. I covered up my actions after the fact. I wish I hadn't done any of it. I am truly sorry."
Post Offers "Peanut Butter Ploy" in Long Island Murder
UPDATE: Newsday is reporting that "the NY Post was wrong" about the peanut butter story and that the autopsy of Leah Walsh found that "there were absolutely no food products or accelerants applied to the body of the victim. "
Deadbeat Walsh Can't Afford His Own Defense Lawyer
Taxpayers will now be footing the bill to defend accused Long Island murderer William Walsh now that he had to let his lawyer go since he's broke. Walsh said that he is not making any money as a stockbroker trainee and that he has no savings. For years as his wife Leah put herself through grad school and became a teacher, he bounced around managerial jobs at Charlie Brown's steakhouses, allegedly having numerous affairs and was accused of stealing from the chain. When Walsh arrived in court yesterday to face charges for the murder of his wife, he went out of his way to avoid eye contact with members of her family. Outside the court, Leah's mother called him evil and compared him to the devil.
Prison Break-In Bro Pleads Not Guilty, Stays in Jail
Thomas Walsh, who had been arrested after trying to sneak into a Nassau County jail during non-visiting hours, pleaded not guilty to obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest and criminal trespass charges. Walsh had been trying to see his brother William, who is being held for the murder of William's wife. The Post reasons he "could get all the visiting time [with his brother] he wants" now--Thomas Walsh was held on $6,000 bail and Newsday says no one posted it as of Tuesday evening. His lawyer said, "I'm quite sure that he's going through a lot of emotional turmoil. I think anybody would."
Suspected Wife Killer's Brother Arrested After Trying to Break into Jail
the jail to see William. Apparently prisoners cannot have visitors on Monday and Newsday reports that Thomas Walsh "sneaked around to a side ramp and tried to get into the jail that way... When correction officers tried to stop him, he tried to push past them and had to be subdued" (the Post says they had to use pepper spray and three officers). And the Nassau County police did note, "It's ironic that someone would get locked up for trying to break into jail
"The Ultimate Pain a Family Can Endure"
Yesterday, the father of Leah Walsh, the woman killed and dumped off a Long Island highway, was too upset to speak at her funeral; the Daily News reports that Howard Hirschel asked Rabbi Abraham Eckstein to read his words, "This is the ultimate pain a family can endure. We've all heard the expression, 'Live one day at a time.' I'm trying to live one minute at a time... Although I know my children knew that I loved them dearly, I should have hugged them more. I say to all of you, if you have children, give them a big hug for Leah - and another for me."
Leah Walsh Buried as Reports of Abuse Continue to Come In
This morning in Rockville Center, the funeral was held for Leah Walsh, the Long Island teacher murdered by her husband earlier this week. A neighbor told Newsday that every seat was filled in the ceremony that was followed by her burial in Pinelawn. Those in attendance did not include the family of William Walsh, the man being kept in solitary after being arrested for the murder of his wife. Today's Post explores the history of the couple, painting an ugly picture of Leah living in fear of her hard drinking and sometimes violent husband who cops say "slapped around and publicly humiliated (her) as he bedded other women." Neighbors say that police had to visit the Walshes' home more than once, but that Leah never pressed charges against her husband.
William Walsh Also Being Kept in Solitary Confinement
There's something eerily similar about the cases of David Steeves and William Walsh, the two big murder stories that came out of Long Island this week. It should be a strange enough coincidence just in there being two high profile instances of men killing their wives in such close proximity. But add to that the fact that both men admitted their crimes to police only to then claim that the confessions were coerced and now reports today that both have been put into solitary as part of their incarceration. Authorities would not say why Walsh has been separated from the rest of the prison population, an action usually taken for medical, psychiatric or safety reasons. Newsday also reports that "at the Rockville Centre home of Leah Walsh's parents Friday, friends stopped by to express their condolences as the family gave candy to trick-or-treating children."
Police Say Walsh Was Spotted During Elaborate Cover-up of Wife's Murder
The Nassau County police revealed details in how William Walsh's story fell apart during questioning. Walsh, who had emotionally pleaded for his missing wife's return on Monday, was arrested for her murder on Wednesday.

