Sonoma County Man Details Wife's Beating Death In Testimony

SANTA ROSA, CA -- The Boyes Hot Springs man on trial in Sonoma County Superior Court for the beating murder of his wife testified this afternoon he remembers only "snapshots, not a movie" of what happened on the living room couch of their home last August.

Steven Rothschild, 73, said he remembers his hand on his wife Juanita's throat, looking at her arm and being on top of her chest.

"I heard her gasp, I saw blood coming out of her nose or mouth and I remember striking her throat. I was in a rage," Rothschild said.

Rothschild said he remembers washing his hands in the kitchen, looking for his glasses in the bedroom, washing his hands again and calling his son on the East Coast.

"But I hung up. I was numb, confused and afraid. Then I called 911. I wanted to get help. There was nothing I could do," Rothschild said.

The couple attended a dinner and concert with another couple on the evening of Aug. 4, 2017. On the way home Juanita criticized him for not paying for one of the bottles of wine the couples shared and for not chatting in the parking lot before heading home, Rothschild said.

Rothschild said that once they were home he walked their dog then joined his 67-year-old wife on the couch.

"She said, 'There's only one way for you to make this better,'" Rothschild said.

It was a familiar opening statement of another frequent argument the couple had toward the end of their 36-year marriage, Rothschild said.

"I saw her arm had scratches and my hand was on her throat. I was feeling rage. I have no memory of saying anything to her," Rothschild said. Defense attorney Stephen Gallenson maintains Juanita 'Nita'

Rothschild dominated, manipulated, verbally and occasionally physically abused her husband.

He offered as evidence a 236-page binder containing hand-written apologies and acknowledgements Juanita wanted Rothschild to write. The notes detailed what he was doing wrong in their relationship, but many contained glowing compliments and professions of love.

"It is only your way forever, Love, Steve," one note said. In another note, Rothschild admits he has temper tantrums and experiences rage.

Deputy District Attorney Javier Vaca questioned Rothschild about remembering some but not all details of the beating and strangulation, and the defendant's claim he didn't know what he was doing at the time.

"At the time I called 911 I knew exactly what I was doing," Rothschild said.

Rothschild told Vaca on cross-examination he saw flashes of the slaying including punching his wife, but he denied being angry.

"I was afraid. It was like a volcano blasting off - that kind of rage." Rothschild said.

The Sonoma County District Attorney's Office is seeking a first-degree murder conviction. The testimony continues Tuesday.

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