Episode 590: The Murder of Albert Snyder

The personal backgrounds and relationships of Ruth Brown Snyder and Albert Snyder reveal a complex web of emotional experiences that led their lives to intersect.

Personal Backgrounds

Ruth Brown Snyder's Early Struggles

Mamie Ruth Brown was born into the working-class family of Harry and Josephine Brown, immigrants from Norway and Sweden, on March 27th, 1895 in New York City. The family resided in a small apartment in Manhattan where they faced financial struggles, largely due to Harry's health issues, which resulted in the Browns taking in renters to make ends meet. Ruth, growing up feeling deprived amongst peers with fancier toys and clothes, experienced a troubled childhood colored by a series of health problems. After her sixth birthday, Ruth was hospitalized for an intestinal operation, the beginning of many health issues she faced.

Her health worsened when she suffered from a severe sunstroke at age nine, resulting in fainting spells she herself linked to her father's epilepsy, although there was no evidence to substantiate this connection. However, a botched appendectomy at twelve was the most difficult issue she faced, leading to years of physical and emotional pain and further isolating her from her peers due to her inability to participate in childhood play.

Albert Snyder's Path to Success

Albert Snyder, born to German immigrant parents Charles and Mary Snyder on October 11th, 1882 in Kings County, New York, lived above his parent's bakery and cafe in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Exhibiting a creative streak from a young age, Albert went on to study art at the Pratt Institute. His artistic skill and passion quickly translated into a career as a commercial artist.

Albert’s career pivoted to combine his artistic talent with his interests in outdoor sports and boating, leading him to become the editor of Motor Boating Mag ...

The Snyder marriage was one of discord and detachment, leading to Ruth Snyder's affair with Judd Gray, a relationship that was passionate but clandestine, providing a stark contrast to her life with Albert.

Despite Albert's initial courtship and gift-giving, the marriage quickly deteriorated as Albert became emotionally distant and controlling.

Albert Snyder fell into the routine of his bachelor days after marrying, spending his time outside of work on hobbies and on his boat, the Jessie G., named after a past girlfriend. The marriage deteriorated as Albert's lack of attention, refusal to have children, and reluctance to part with his past—evidenced by not renaming his boat—created a significant rift between the couple. Ruth, who had been accustomed to a courtship filled with long lunches, dinners, and nice gifts, felt neglected and unhappy.

The couple argued constantly, with Albert criticizing Ruth's spending and social life, while Ruth grew increasingly unhappy and resentful.

Albert's obsession with order and cleanliness often led to lashing out at Ruth and their daughter. He was not only disinterested in spending time with them but also seemed possibly cruel and abusive. Their arguments over expenses, intimate life, and Albert's increasingly explosive temper, such as the incident where he chased and allegedly assaulted a neighborhood boy, exacerbated their strained relationship. The environment was so tense that Ruth considered leaving but wanted security in terms of alimony, child support, and custody.

Ruth met Judd Gray, a traveling hosiery salesman, through a mutual friend, and the two began a passionate, secret affair.

Ruth Snyder's encounter with Judd Gray, facilitated by her friend Kitty Kaufman at Henry's, a Swedish restaurant, quickly escalated into a covert affair. Judd, who felt a lifelong sense of inadequacy and craved inclusion, was drawn to Ruth's vibrant ...

The murder of Albert Snyder was not a spur-of-the-moment act of violence but the result of meticulous planning by his wife, Ruth, and her lover, Judd. They conspired to turn a long-standing idea into a grim reality that would eventually lead both to be equally held responsible for the crime.

Ruth and Judd conspired to kill Albert, allegedly discussing ways to make Albert's "wish" to pass away a reality.

Initially, the concept of ending Albert's life lingered as a mere wish for Ruth and Judd, with moments where killing him was nothing more than an inside joke. However, Ruth and Judd's confessions illustrated how this dark desire evolved into planning precise ways to make it happen. Ruth had been suffering in her unhappy marriage, and together with Judd, they planned to kill Albert, partly motivated by the substantial payout from his life insurance. Ruth’s interest in Albert’s life insurance arose from his previous brushes with accidental death. She invited an insurance agent over and convinced Albert to increase his life insurance to $100,000 under a double indemnity clause. Ruth then tricked Albert into signing this policy, later filling in the amounts and ensuring she controlled the policy's correspondence.

On the night of the murder, Judd struck Albert with a sash weight and then strangled him with wire, while Ruth claimed she was tied up and attacked.

Ruth took responsibility for the hoax and secreted Judd in the house before the crime. She attended a bridge party with her husband and daughter, and upon their return and Albert going to bed, Judd carried out the violent attack. He struck Albert with a sash weight, attempted to render him unconscious with chloroform, and finally strangled him with wire. Ruth, meanwhile, feigned an attack on herself—she claimed she was seized by the throat, hit over the head, and subsequently lost consciousness, only to "awaken" to find herself tied up.

Albert was found ...

Ruth and Judd's entanglement in crime unfolds as detectives and later the court, unravel their murder plot, despite their attempts to blame each other and obscure the truth.

Detectives quickly saw through Ruth's story and found numerous inconsistencies and contradictions in the evidence.

Detectives found that neither the condition of Albert's body nor the state of the crime scene supported Ruth's story of a robbery. The house appeared contrivedly disheveled, while valuables like a gold watch were conspicuously undisturbed. Contradictions multiplied as detectives discovered Ruth’s valuables hidden within the house, undermining her theft claims. She maintained a dubious narrative of being unconscious for hours without physical symptoms, raising investigators' suspicions.

Both Ruth and Judd exchanged accusations, with Ruth’s confession revealing discussions to "get rid of" her husband, describing her marriage as abusive. Judd's denial crumbled under his attempt to fabricate an alibi, and both of their confessions, seen as damning evidence, were presented to the jury.

Both Ruth and Judd confessed to their roles in the murder, each blaming the other as the true mastermind.

Ruth characterized the murder as a response to an abusive marriage, painting herself as the victim of her husband, with Judd proposing pre-emptive action against Albert. Judd’s alibi of being in Syracuse was disproven by detectives, and his claim to have been swindled into the murder by Ruth painted a complex picture of manipulation and false excuses.

Despite their best efforts, Ruth and Judd were both convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death by electric chair.

Despite Ruth's defense claiming her confession was coerced and alluding to Judd’s mental instability, both were found guilty of first-degree murder. Ruth's constant shifts in narrative failed to sway the jury, whi ...