Caption: Jenny Eisenman (R) claims she killed her husband Drew (L) in self defense.
A SWEET, SOFT-SPOKEN WIFE AND TEACHER KILLS HER HUSBAND –
WAS IT SELF DEFENSE OR MURDER?
“48 HOURS MYSTERY” ON TUESDAY, JAN. 29, 2008
In May 2004, Jenny Eisenman shot her husband Drew six times, killing him instantly, an act she claimed was self-defense. Drew was handsome, athletic and fun, while Jenny was slender, pretty and sweet. Living in Houston, both shared an interest in children and education – Jenny was an elementary school teacher, while Drew was a high school basketball coach. But behind the scenes, their fairytale relationship was quickly deteriorating. Jenny discovered that Drew was having an affair while she was pregnant with their first child. Worse, when their son was born, Drew brought his mistress to Jenny’s hospital room to hold the baby. Jenny and Drew separated a few months later.
Both Drew and Jenny attempted to maintain a civil relationship for the sake of their son, but all that changed one night in May 2004 when police were summoned to Jenny’s apartment after a frantic 911 call in which she admitted to shooting Drew. Expecting to find a homicide scene, police were in for two surprises – a pristine apartment with no sign of struggle or blood and the discovery of Drew’s body outside on the curb stuffed into a storage tub, the same one used to store the family Christmas tree.
Jenny claimed the shooting was an act of self defense against a brutal beating, and told police that Drew had abused her repeatedly in the past. Despite numerous bruises on her legs, police were convinced otherwise. They discovered there was something Jenny didn’t tell them: about an hour after the shooting she had gone to Wal-Mart to pick up spackle and paint to hide the bullet holes. But it was a series of provocative and sexual emails that Jenny sent Drew during the time that he was allegedly abusing her that helped convince a jury that this was not an act of self defense.
Although it would seem that this would be the end of the story, it is far from it. Did Jenny kill Drew in self defense or was it a calculated murder? Jenny Eisenman speaks on camera for the first time and tells her story to 48 HOURS MYSTERY.
Richard Schlesinger reports 48 HOURS MYSTERY: “Trigger Point,” on Tuesday, Jan. 29 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. This broadcast is produced by Marcelena Spencer and Jenna Jackson. Judy Tygard is the senior producer and Al Briganti is the executive editor. Susan Zirinsky is the executive producer.
Here is a preview: Trigger Point
January 29, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Wow Drews family reminds me of Lionel Tate’s Mother first 12 year old to be sentenced to life for killing a little girl. Jenny screwed up she should of shot him once fatally then call the cops to come and get his body she should have been aquitted what he did been their done that but he had some big balls he gambled and he lost.
January 29, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Since the revolver holds 6 rounds, if she fired a warning shot, how many rounds were found in his body if she emptied the gun???????????????
If there were 6 rounds in the body, she is definitely lying. If only 5, she may be telling the truth.
This is a big question of mine especially with the picture of the mistress with the baby in the hospital because that in itself was abuse!
January 29, 2008 at 9:12 pm
This Judge was an idiot in not allowing the friend to testify that Drew had abused Jenny. Sure, she messed up when she didn’t just call the police after the shooting but I’m 100% totally convinced that Jenny was abused by this creep! Why in the world weren’t the photos of her bruises offered into evidence. Jenny was totally let down in this trial. Drews family makes me sick…good grief, are they blind, the man was having an affair with a coach at the school and quite openly. Jenny received far too harsh a sentence!
January 29, 2008 at 9:19 pm
I would like to write or communicate to jenny. Is there an address to send mail to her. Please reply.
January 29, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Could anything else have gone wrong in this trial for Jenny? So much obvious evidence of abuse was ignored. Jenny needs support. Does anyone know what prison she is in? She needs letters. We should write to her.
January 29, 2008 at 9:28 pm
comment back to jan, I agree. But pictures of bruises wouldn’t make a difference. Her lawyer wasn’t good enough. If there was an affair, the point is mute. She suffered, the child was threatened. Over time, with a lot of abuse, and protecting your young or loved ones. you wouldn’t be thinking about yourself, but them, what would you do when someone threatens them???
January 29, 2008 at 9:36 pm
I don’t understand why experts weren’t called by the defense lawyer to educate the jury on how Jenny would have acted under such circumstances (before and after the incident).
I thought her interview with 48 Hours was THOROUGHLY convincing, btw.
January 29, 2008 at 9:37 pm
If you have never been it that position, then how can you say what you would have done??? I have been there, NO I didn’t kill him!!! but those people are making her look so back and him so innocent. There are 2 sides to every story and she didn’t get to tell her full story!! I think he pretty while told his!!! I would also like to get her address if anyone is able to get it!!
January 29, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Without question this was self defense. Plenty of people do not report abuse at home because of reputation, embarrassment, careers, etc. I should have been in bed an hour an a half ago but began watching 48 Hours and was interested and appalled. Now I am still up posting my concern of our justice system, or lack there of. I was a Criminal Justice Major and this is one of the few cases that made me cry and feel sorry for the convicted victim. She was a victim and wrongly convicted for murder. She did kill but I whole heartedly believe it was self-defense. My heart goes out to both families but especially Jenny’s. Both families have lost a loved one and it is horrible. Had the jurors heard and saw all the evidence they were later informed of the outcome would have been different. I think Jenny deserves another trial. I wish I had gone to law school and I would defend her free of charge for her, her family, and to make a point to the messed up judicial system we have. The judge in her trial should be excused, and that’s polite. I must go to sleep now but law school is still not out of the question for me. It only takes one person to start making a difference in our society.
January 29, 2008 at 9:41 pm
we lost power at end of show-stinks. what was her sentence? thanks
January 29, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Comment to the other Shelly – go get that degree girl; we need people like you in our courts. You are exactly right – our judicial system is messed up, but not only is the system messed up, many of the people working the system are messed up!!
January 29, 2008 at 9:45 pm
she was found guilty and received 23 yrs.
January 29, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Dan – she got 23 years and is eligible for parole in ten.
January 29, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Thanks shelly and tammy! would have drove us crazy not knowing.
January 29, 2008 at 9:51 pm
She’s a shady little bitch, and guilty to the core. If you can’t see that, you’re not thinking rationally.
January 29, 2008 at 9:52 pm
She was convicted and sentenced.
January 29, 2008 at 9:55 pm
David – what part didn’t you see?
January 29, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Ok our comments are posted. So do your part, and give us an address where we can write to her. We are expecting a reply. How about a lawyer, that will take up her case and get her out of jail much sooner than 10 years.
January 29, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Thanks, Shelly!!!!
David— You are the type we need to keep out of the system. He was shady and guilty to the core for adultery, abuse, and conniving. If you can’t see that YOU are not rational.
January 29, 2008 at 9:59 pm
To the other Shelly I have put my name as Shelly, NC so all do not get confused!!!
January 29, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I saw the part where she dragged the body outside and then went shopping to buy supplies to cover up the crime scene and then burn the body. Drew may have been an ass, but she’s a murderer.
January 29, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Shelly- I’m not in “the system,” whatever that means.
January 29, 2008 at 10:01 pm
I agree I would love to write to Jenny. I am sure she has plenty of family support and “character witness support” but she needs society support as well.
January 29, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Listening to Drew’s mother was kind of nauseating. He wasn’t raised to hit a women?! But y’all did let him know that adultry was ok, right? He was raised to know that bringing your whore to the hospital after your wife gives birth to your son; taking her baby and placing it in the arms of the skank you are currently banging is ok ? I am so glad that he was raised to respect women. Good Job!
One more comment/question. How do you get bruises on both sides of your legs, your hands and your arms from getting the tub with dead husband down the stairs?
OK, just one more ; Is there any chance that she might get a competent lawyer and appeal?
January 29, 2008 at 10:04 pm
David I did not say you were in the system. I said you are the type we need to keep out of the system. Referring to the “judicial system” that you do not belong in!!!!
January 29, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Good idea Shelly NC
David – Like I said, experts could have proven that this is “normal” behavior for someone who has just been through such a traumatic experience. She’s definitely not a murderer; she’s a victim.
January 29, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I would like Jenny’s address if it possible to write to her. I have been in her same situation including being pregnant and my husband still cheating right after our baby was born. It was so similar to Jenny’s situation and no one knows what it’s like unless you have been there. If I had a gun, I would have done the same thing to my husband just to stop him from beating me. When they get that crazy you cannot just tell them to stop and expect to be able to walk away! You are defending your life with whatever means you have. She had a lousy attorney and the prosecutor and the cops are so completey clueless!
January 29, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Way to go Suzanne!!! Good questions!!! As for the bruises I would have just let the box slide down the stairs. Which I have done with heavy boxes and no bruises yet. She really needs a good lawyer to appeal. Maybe we should let the bull dog Grace give us some feed on this one.
January 29, 2008 at 10:10 pm
I agree that Drew was a despicable person. Bringing the mistress to the hospital to hold the baby was cruel and thoughtless. But I can’t overlook Jenny’s attempted coverup on the crime scene and her plan to dispose of the body.
January 29, 2008 at 10:10 pm
My ex mother-in-law re-acted the same way. It just makes me sick. She is still defending him and saying he could not have done what he did even when her son is sitting in jail facing prison right now for beating up another woman! The whole family is in total denial. Jenny is the victim.
January 29, 2008 at 10:15 pm
After going through such an incredibly traumatic event Jenny could have been only thinking of protecting her son from seeing any of the sadness. Ever heard of Mama Bear?
January 29, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Unless you have ever been in that situation you don’t know what you would do and you don’t think clearly regardless of how it looks. If you have always re-acted in the past to cleaning up the mess as soon as it happens so no one will know what goes on behind close doors then why you re-act any different after shooting him. She was just re-acting to what she always did in the past. Trying to clean up the mess so no one would know how bad it really was.
January 29, 2008 at 10:18 pm
David I understand what your concerns are with
Wal-Mart, however, when you get in such a state of mind you do not always react the way you should. Jenny was scared and did not know how to react to her actions. She reacted in self-defense and then her actions were different but not un-common. She has been truthful and has held the same story since day one. Most people that are murders and not victims change their story many times. She is consistent and truthful!!!
January 29, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Well, I must get some sleep. I have enjoyed talking with you all and will check back tomorrow to see if anyone has found Jenny’s address. Goodnight.
January 29, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Goodnight Shelly!!! I must go to sleep as well it’s late on the east coast. I will check back tomorrow as well!!! Nite all, good talking.
January 29, 2008 at 11:20 pm
I agree that her lawyer was terrible. He should have called expertst in to say that her actions were consistant with women who have been abused. And that the testimony of Drew’s friend should have been heard. I think that Drew taking the baby from her and putting it in his lover’s arms was also a form of abuse and, perhaps, a veiled threat that he would take the baby and raise it with her. I believe that it was self defense and am not surprised that she didn’t report the abuse because cops don’t help much anyway and the end result is usually worse abuse. She should get a new lawyer and try again.
January 30, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Funny you didn’t get to see any character witnesses for Drew. Jenny wanted to tell her story. I knew Drew very well. Their relationship was definitely in turmoil by events. Drew did not have that character, oh but you couldn’t her his story, he is gone.
Look at her bruises…hands and legs, frail person with no meat on her bones, dragging a 6 foot 3 dead body down a flight of stairs. You think that box isn’t going to bump into her legs pretty dang hard…and please go online to 48 hours and watch MORE of here interrogation, she says he stood up after the first warning shot, they asked if he lunged at her, she said NO!!!!
Drew did make some poor decisions, but her worst decision was not seeking help (if that was even the case). I have been in her situation and I got out. I certainly didn’t send my ex sexually provocative emails. Give me a break.
I stand by Drew’s family and pray they can live their lives with as much peace as this situation can allow.
We must all remember, the only person who truly knows is God. Let’s leave this in His hands, and pray for all family’s involved, especially Jackson!
January 30, 2008 at 3:59 pm
AMN,
I am very sorry. The family and friends are in my prayers.
January 30, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Amn,
It is a tragedy you are right about that; however his friend did not seem to protest his innocence of the abuse charges. In fact he stated that Drew admitted to him that he ” Got Physical ” with her. I’m sorry how big was he? 6′3 did you say ? And she was a scrawny bag of bones? Getting physical with his petite little wife was not abuse? Well, ok then.
I don’t accept your premise that he had no one to stand up for him and testify to his character. His family and students spoke on his character.
However he showed his own character just with the fact that he had a relationship with someone else while he was still married. add to that the behavior of bringing that women to the hospital where his wife had just given birth to his son.
No morally upright person can justify that behavior, because there is no justification for it.
That was not just poor judgment . It was wrong.
I am sorry for your loss of a friend and his family’s loss.
I am also sorry for Jenny and her son and her family.
I am glad that you got out of an abusive relationship.
Statistically speaking you beat the odds.
More women are killed by their significant others then by any other group of people.
And women are killed be their men in the place where they should the safest. In their own homes.
Abuse of women by men is an appalling fact of life. The usual response of society is to blame the victim. “oh she must have done something to deserve it.”
Surely in this age we should be beyond that, but we are not. The guilt and shame we are made to feel by our abusers and society is one reason why we don’t tell.
Again I am glad you got out , but your experience does not seem normative.
Also I could see the tub giving her bruises ; but not on both sides of her legs and her forearms, and hands. That just doesn’t make sense anatomically.
January 30, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Does anyone know what prison Jenny is in or how to get her address?
January 30, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I have been a police officer for over 20 years and have investigated hundreds of cases of domestic violence. I have seen the impact of family violence both personally and professionally. The stigma and embarassment of such acts is very real and it would not seem at all unusual for me for family and friends of a dv victim to be unaware of such abuse. Having said that- I think there is nothing more despicable then a person crying abuse to cover up their own wrong doing. That is what I believe Jenny has done. And that so many people- from the posts- are willing to buy this story is a sad statement on our society. I agree that Jenny’s initial actions in not immediately calling police or even cleaning up her home might be the reaction of a person in shock. But, Jenny went beyond that… she attempted to cover up her actions. Shelly of NC stated that Jenny’s story has remained consistent from her first interview. But that in fact is not true. She ommitted an essential fact. It was only through investigation that police learned that she had gone to Wal Mart where she had purchased items to cover up the damage in her home caused by the murder of her husband. Her actions in both buying these items and failing to disclose the information stike me as cold and calculated- not those that I would attribute to a shocked, distraught victim. I agree that information pertaining to possible prior abuse- slim that it was- should have been admitted into evidence as should photos of Jenny’s bruises. I also believe that those bruises could very well be caused by her actions and simply are not evidence of an assault. By that same token- I am not sure why evidence of adultrey by Drew has any relevance to this murder trial- though for many who commented it seems to be the deciding factor in his guilt. It speaks to his character- but it does not mean he physically abused Jenny and certainly does not justify her executing him. I think the jury made the right decision. Domestic violence is a very emotional issue as is clear by many of these posts. What to me is the saddest in this case is that because of the decision of this woman a small child has been deprived of the opportunity to ever know his father or to grow up with his mother. That is the true crime
January 30, 2008 at 6:05 pm
I’m sorry, am I missing something here?? Mistress at hospital, etc…
This sounds like a crime of passion to me. I’m not saying premediated, but I think she killed him intentionally. The reason I say this is because if this is self-defense, you don’t do the things she did after the killing. I think she’s right where she belongs. People DO NOT know what goes on behind closed doors. The victim is not here to defend himself.
January 30, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Kathy,
I wrote my comment BEFORE reading yours. I totally agree with every word your saying. Innocent people don’t do what she did.
January 31, 2008 at 6:34 am
Thank you Kathy! I honestly feel in my heart that is the true story.
As a matter of fact Suzanne , pulling a huge tub of alot of weight you are gong to turn front, turn back, thus hitting both legs. She had to get the Christmas tree out of the tub, probably quickly, HANDS, and arms, she tried SEVERAL time to get the tub up and into his truck……do you think maybe she needed to use leverage to try and get that up in the truck or she just used her fingers….hmmm, you try and get 200 something pound dead weight 20 gallon tub in a truck….lets see what it does.
Again, we can all speculate, it’s in God’s hands. I know what I know and my heart feels, but God knows what happened. I will pray for this situation until the day I die, and I honestly feel that Drew will be there to welcome me to Heaven!
January 31, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Just because you are murdered does not mean that there is a place secured in heaven for you. God says that you must accept what His Son did for you on the cross as payment for your sin and then walk through life with Christ.
January 31, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I have done a lot of thinking and blogging on this subject.
The friend was not allowed to speak in court beacause it was hearsay. Understandable. Unfortunate for Jenny because it would be the only proof of her abuse. But a possible good thing….(note this is complete hearsay and not to be taken as fact, reference cbs blogs) one blogger said who is on Jenny’s side Ron made a scene at the house of drew’s parents. So within 3 to 4 days of his best friends death he is past his loyalty and striking out… not exactly partial or normal do you think?
I understand why photos of bruises that her father took would not be allowed into evidence, because there is no way to ascertain if these were real.
So I asked myself….with the money her family has and the very well qualified expensive lawyer she has, why no medical examination by a doctor? Why no objective proof of this abuse? For God’s sake her life is hanging in the balance.
Oh yeah…she said she was pregnant. Can’t very well go to a doctor for an exam to get pictures of your abuse if there is one tiny lie that will be revealed that will unravel your whole story.
Please be careful on making any judgements…cbs aired a lopsided show with few facts in order to amp ratings.
January 31, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Honestly, whether he was beating the crap outta her is not the issue here. It’s called common sense. If this was truly self-defense the police should have been called immediately.
Example: I lock 2 men in a room together by THEMSELVES for 1 hour. When I return, one of the men is dead, brutally murdered. COMMON SENSE would tell me that the man alive killed him. Common sense people. Jennie’s actions are not those of an INNOCENT person. Like I said before, I think she is where she belongs.
January 31, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Shelly,
If you read my statement, it says I honestly feel that I will see my friend Drew in Heaven. Only God knows what happen….I didn’t say he will be there, and that he will be because he was murdered.
Drew is gone and he is the only other person that knows what happen.
By the way, her appeal was denied this week!
January 31, 2008 at 2:50 pm
In too deep. At first the woman thinks she can forgive the abuser, well he’s been trying real hard to get along with me, maybe he is right that I am too hard on him, believing when they say they are sorry, honey, I didn’t mean it, over a period of time you think will get better. Meanwhile, he is setting up, isolation of your family and friends in calculating ways that you would not suspect of someone that loves you. Like “Oh honey I just wanted to be with you alone so we could be close. How can we be that close with guests over. Or the: “Don’t discuse our relationship with others, we can work out our own problems without interference from others. This all sounds like the right things to say, but it is how the abuser minipulates truths to work in their favor. This can go on for years. Jenny’s support system was failing her. So if you take Jenny’s case, when now she is forced to be humilated by pushing the other woman on her, knowing that her husband is cheating on you, while lying to others about it, how can you say he is honest, and forth right. Drew kept on pushing and pushing hoping she would just give him coustody, as she physically became weaker. Jenny felt she had to protect herself and now a child, Jackson who depended on her to protect him against the abuse.
Some other points to consider, why did Jenny’s brother feel the need to give Jenny a gun? and, Have any of you actually moved a heavy storage bin down a flight of stairs? Once it was at the top of the stairs, and you get behind it and started it down gravity would have done the rest until it gets down to the bottom of the stairs. She could also let it free fall as well. I think she really did not have a plan set or she would have gotten rid of all the evidence. I think she was thinking of her son seeing his father dead and not being able to cope with the horrific scene he would have to grow up with. I also did not hear about her taking a lie detector test. Or a phycological analases eithier, what was wrong with her lawyer?
January 31, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Let’s not forget that Jenny’s sister was not on the show. She was the one that Jenny called and said she had a plan for the body. Why wasn’t she on the show.
And why wasn’t anyone allowed to ask Jenny any questions on the show.
Lopsided for sure.
January 31, 2008 at 3:01 pm
The lawyer probably did have these evaluations. The results probably proved against her! Did anyone ever think about that being the reason? Her lawyer is a very well known high profile case lawyer….maybe he just didn’t have anyone able to help her case because she was lying! Please go to the 48 hours site and watch more interrogation. She says she shot a warning fire, then just held the trigger down. Asked if after the warning shot if he lunged at her she said no!
And if you read previous post, I was abused in more than one way and you get out! Especially when children are involved.
January 31, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Let me rephrase that…Jenny told the sister she had killed Drew and she had a plan for the body. Just wanted to clarify.
January 31, 2008 at 5:41 pm
amn,
I apologize. I guess because of the nature of the conversation I thought it was safe to assume that that’s where you were coming from.
January 31, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Amn,
I really am sorry for your loss and for the abuse you suffered.
You are not alone in being abused but it is a naive and simplistic to say you get out. Especially if you have children.
( I am done talking about Jenny and Drew )
I wish you would look at statistical data and see how many women do not get out. The data doesn’t support your position regarding abused women.
Please quit heaping condemnation on abused women, again not talking about this case.
You might think that because your circumstances had a good outcome and you were able to save yourself everyone should be able to.
Ever been to a womens shelter or talk to counseling professionals about the psychology of abuse/abusive relationships?
It is not always so cut and dried .
If we were talking about rational right thinking people of course women would just leave their abusers. It would be a snap and the logical thing to do.
Sadly logic doesn’ t usually rule in these circumstances . Fear rules . Shame rules. Hopelessness rules.
January 31, 2008 at 9:47 pm
The story is consistent with an abused spouse. Why can Drew’s family and friends stand by him and not see the pain he caused all the while claiming that this pretty petite little kindergarten teacher could now kill in cold blood? On one side you have Her story and his family that tell His story. Which one is more believable? That she could murder in cold blood ‘complete opposite of what everyone ever thought her capable of or that he could abuse her without anyone else knowing it? I find her story much more plausible than his family’s denial that he might have been the man his wife claims him to be. I don’t believe she made up the abuse or lied about killing in self defense. While this is a tragedy for all involved it is more so for the fact that the child has lost both of his parents but I believe the fault of this is the father’s. His choices brought about his death. It was his choice to be in her apartment without her consent, and his choice to fight with her. I don’t believe that she killed in anger and then just tried to cover it up. I believe that she killed in defense of her life and then when no one immediately showed up, remember, she states how could someone not have heard them arguing all night and not heard those gunshots. So when no one comes to see what happened, she began planning ‘irrational’ ways to make it go away. Thus the shopping and the cleaning up and trying to dispose of the body. 48 hours doesn’t usually slant things to make out a person’s innocence either. I find those comments to be grasping at straws. amn, just because Drew was never abusive with you doesn’t negate what his ‘wife’ claims. Abusive people always show the world a ‘perfect’ picture. No one except the wife will ever know the truth of what she did or did not suffer but I find it very unfair for people to dismiss her story out of hand as just a good ’story’, you can see in her eyes and demeanor that she’s been abused.
January 31, 2008 at 11:05 pm
For those of you who’d like to write something supportive to Jenny, I know her family and can get it to her. Email it to me at sharonandphil@sbcglobal.net.
Don’t waste your time sending something hateful, as it will be ignored and deleted.
February 1, 2008 at 7:37 am
Tell me why Jenny woul not take questions on 48 hours…..geez, maybe she in’t want to get caught in her own lie!
February 1, 2008 at 7:38 am
sorry, my keyboard isn’t working well!