It was a fight over a van, Mark Schnable of Yutan, bludgeoned his wife and staged a fake car accident as a cover up.
The couple’s three children witnessed the horror in 1999.
On Thursday morning, Schnable will go before the state parole board seeking his freedom.
On May 22nd 1999, Schnable killed his 40-year-old wife Sandy Schnable on their family farm.
Investigators at the time found 300 blood spots in the Schnabel’s living room and found Sandy's body under her minivan which caught on fire which was a cover up for the murder.
Schnabel later admitted to killing his wife in court and wanted to avoid a trial to spare his children who may be asked to testify.
While the judge wanted life in prison without parole she didn't write down a minimum sentence number-which is required by state law. Schnabel is now eligible for parole.
In 2000, KMTV talked with Mark Schnabel’s attorney Chuck Forrest about this sentence.
“The county attorney signed off on that agreement mark signed off on that agreement, mark's family signed off on that agreement, and sandy's family signed off on that agreement-nobody should be complaining too much,” said Forrest.
But those who are complaining are people who knew Sandy Schnable.
“I couldn't believe what he had done,” said Justin Bussing.
Bussing was just in high school when the murder happened and Sandy was Bussing's teacher, “She was a great person, very outgoing”.
Schnable should not be a free man said Bussing walking these streets ever again, “He should not be released.”
The 5-person parole board meets Thursday morning at 8:30am in Lincoln to decide the fate of Schnabel.
