John Schneeberger
Encyclopedia
John Schneeberger is a South African former physician who lived and practiced in Canada, who drugged and rape
d one of his female patients and his stepdaughter. For years, he was able to evade arrest by planting a fake DNA
sample inside his own body, thus successfully foiling DNA tests.
and received medical education at the Stellenbosch University
in South Africa
. In 1987, he moved to Canada. He lived in the town of Kipling, Saskatchewan
and practiced in the Kipling Medical Center. He married Lisa Dillman, and had two daughters with her. In 1993, he acquired Canadian citizenship.
his 23-year-old patient, Candice, and raped her. While Versed
— the anesthetic he used — has strong amnesia
c effect, Candice was still able to remember the rape. She reported the crime to the police.
Schneeberger's blood sample was, however, found not to match the samples of the alleged rapist's semen
, thus clearing him of suspicion. In 1993, at the victim's request, the test was repeated, but the result was negative, as well. In 1994, the case was closed.
Candice, still convinced that her reminiscences were true, hired Larry O'Brien, a private detective, to investigate the case. He broke into Schneeberger's car and obtained another DNA sample, which, this time, matched the semen on victim's panties and pants. As a result, a third official test was organized. The obtained blood sample was, however, found to be too small and of too poor quality to be useful for analysis.
In 1997, Lisa Schneeberger found out that her husband had repeatedly drugged and raped her 15-year-old daughter from her first marriage. She reported him to the police, which ordered a fourth DNA test. This time, multiple samples were taken: blood
, mouth swab
, and hair follicle
. All three matched the rapist's semen.
During his 1999 trial, Schneeberger revealed the method he used to foil the DNA tests. He implanted a 15 cm Penrose drain
filled with another man's blood and anticoagulant
s in his arm. During tests, he tricked the laboratory technician to obtain blood sample from the place the tube was planted.
He was found guilty of sexual assault
, of administering a noxious substance, and of obstruction of justice
, and received a six-year prison
sentence.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan stripped Schneeberger of his medical license
and his wife divorce
d him.
In 2003, Schneeberger was released on parole
, after serving four years in prison. He was stripped of his Canadian citizenship on the basis of not mentioning the police investigation against him in his citizenship application, and deported
to South Africa in 2004. He moved to Durban
to live with his mother.
. It was also featured in an episode of Forensic Files
('Bad Blood') on TruTV.
The case also inspired works of fiction, including "Serendipity", a fifth season episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
, and the first episode of the 2009 Japanese drama Kiina.
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
d one of his female patients and his stepdaughter. For years, he was able to evade arrest by planting a fake DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
sample inside his own body, thus successfully foiling DNA tests.
Early life
John Schneeberger was born in ZambiaZambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
and received medical education at the Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University is a public research university situated in the town of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Other nearby universities are the University of Cape Town and University of the Western Cape....
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. In 1987, he moved to Canada. He lived in the town of Kipling, Saskatchewan
Kipling, Saskatchewan
-Government:Town council members:* Mayor Kelly Kish, employee of GeeBee Construction, elected in 2009* Alderman Terry Barath, elected in 2009* Alderman Kevin Kish, employee of Marton's Auto Body, first elected in 1999 by-election...
and practiced in the Kipling Medical Center. He married Lisa Dillman, and had two daughters with her. In 1993, he acquired Canadian citizenship.
Rape case
On the night of 31 October 1992, Schneeberger sedatedSedation
Sedation is the reduction of irritability or agitation by administration of sedative drugs, generally to facilitate a medical procedure or diagnostic procedure...
his 23-year-old patient, Candice, and raped her. While Versed
Midazolam
Midazolam is a short-acting drug in the benzodiazepine class developed by Hoffmann-La Roche in the 1970s. The drug is used for treatment of acute seizures, moderate to severe insomnia, and for inducing sedation and amnesia before medical procedures. It possesses profoundly potent anxiolytic,...
— the anesthetic he used — has strong amnesia
Amnesia
Amnesia is a condition in which one's memory is lost. The causes of amnesia have traditionally been divided into categories. Memory appears to be stored in several parts of the limbic system of the brain, and any condition that interferes with the function of this system can cause amnesia...
c effect, Candice was still able to remember the rape. She reported the crime to the police.
Schneeberger's blood sample was, however, found not to match the samples of the alleged rapist's semen
Semen
Semen is an organic fluid, also known as seminal fluid, that may contain spermatozoa. It is secreted by the gonads and other sexual organs of male or hermaphroditic animals and can fertilize female ova...
, thus clearing him of suspicion. In 1993, at the victim's request, the test was repeated, but the result was negative, as well. In 1994, the case was closed.
Candice, still convinced that her reminiscences were true, hired Larry O'Brien, a private detective, to investigate the case. He broke into Schneeberger's car and obtained another DNA sample, which, this time, matched the semen on victim's panties and pants. As a result, a third official test was organized. The obtained blood sample was, however, found to be too small and of too poor quality to be useful for analysis.
In 1997, Lisa Schneeberger found out that her husband had repeatedly drugged and raped her 15-year-old daughter from her first marriage. She reported him to the police, which ordered a fourth DNA test. This time, multiple samples were taken: blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
, mouth swab
Swab
Swab may refer to:* Cotton swab, comprising a small wad of cotton on the end of a short rod* A nautical term for a yarn mop**By extension, a low-ranking sailor...
, and hair follicle
Hair follicle
A hair follicle is a skin organ that produces hair. Hair production occurs in phases, including a growth phase , and cessation phase , and a rest phase . Stem cells are principally responsible for the production of hair....
. All three matched the rapist's semen.
During his 1999 trial, Schneeberger revealed the method he used to foil the DNA tests. He implanted a 15 cm Penrose drain
Penrose drain
A Penrose drain is a surgical device placed in a wound to drain fluid. It consists of a soft rubber tube placed in a wound area, to prevent the build up of fluid.It is named for the American gynecologist Charles Bingham Penrose -Common uses:...
filled with another man's blood and anticoagulant
Anticoagulant
An anticoagulant is a substance that prevents coagulation of blood. A group of pharmaceuticals called anticoagulants can be used in vivo as a medication for thrombotic disorders. Some anticoagulants are used in medical equipment, such as test tubes, blood transfusion bags, and renal dialysis...
s in his arm. During tests, he tricked the laboratory technician to obtain blood sample from the place the tube was planted.
He was found guilty of sexual assault
Sexual assault
Sexual assault is an assault of a sexual nature on another person, or any sexual act committed without consent. Although sexual assaults most frequently are by a man on a woman, it may involve any combination of two or more men, women and children....
, of administering a noxious substance, and of obstruction of justice
Obstruction of justice
The crime of obstruction of justice, in United States jurisdictions, refers to the crime of interfering with the work of police, investigators, regulatory agencies, prosecutors, or other officials...
, and received a six-year prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
sentence.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan stripped Schneeberger of his medical license
Medical license
In most countries, only persons with a medical license bestowed either by a specified government-approved professional association or a government agency are authorized to practice medicine. Licenses are not granted automatically to all people with medical degrees...
and his wife divorce
Divorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
d him.
In 2003, Schneeberger was released on parole
Parole
Parole may have different meanings depending on the field and judiciary system. All of the meanings originated from the French parole . Following its use in late-resurrected Anglo-French chivalric practice, the term became associated with the release of prisoners based on prisoners giving their...
, after serving four years in prison. He was stripped of his Canadian citizenship on the basis of not mentioning the police investigation against him in his citizenship application, and deported
Deportation
Deportation means the expulsion of a person or group of people from a place or country. Today it often refers to the expulsion of foreign nationals whereas the expulsion of nationals is called banishment, exile, or penal transportation...
to South Africa in 2004. He moved to Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
to live with his mother.
In media
His case was depicted in a 2003 Canadian film, I AccuseI Accuse
I Accuse is a 2003 drama film directed by John Ketcham. It is based on the case of Dr. John Schneeberger, a Canadian doctor convicted of using drugs to rape two patients.-Characters:*Estella Warren as Kimberly Jansen*John Hannah as Dr...
. It was also featured in an episode of Forensic Files
Forensic Files
Forensic Files is an American documentary-style series which reveals how forensic science is used to solve violent crimes, mysterious accidents, and even outbreaks of illness. The show is broadcast on truTV, narrated by Peter Thomas, and produced by Medstar Television, in association with truTV...
('Bad Blood') on TruTV.
The case also inspired works of fiction, including "Serendipity", a fifth season episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it is also primarily produced...
, and the first episode of the 2009 Japanese drama Kiina.