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cover of episode Episode 652: Jean Harris and the Murder of Herman Tarnower (Part 2)

Episode 652: Jean Harris and the Murder of Herman Tarnower (Part 2)

2025/3/10
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Morbid
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Elena 和 Ash: 本集探讨了 Jean Harris 杀害 Herman Tarnower 的案件。Jean Harris 的成长经历和早期婚姻对她后来的择偶观和行为产生了深远影响。她依赖处方药脱氧安，这改变了她的性格和思维方式。Jean Harris 事业成功，但工作压力巨大，加剧了她的精神和身体健康问题。Madeira 学校发生的严重学生安全事故为 Jean Harris 提供了机会，但她发现这份工作比预期更具挑战性。她帮助 Herman Tarnower 撰写饮食书籍，这增加了她的压力。Jean Harris 对 Herman Tarnower 饮食书籍的初稿感到震惊，因为它不道德且写得不好，因此决定自己重写整本书稿。她在完成自己全职工作的同时，重写了整本书稿，这体现了她对 Herman Tarnower 的爱意和价值。然而，Herman Tarnower 独自获得了这本书的全部荣誉，而 Jean Harris 的贡献却被忽视了。Herman Tarnower 给 Jean Harris 付款的行为，让她感到受伤，并加剧了他们之间关系的破裂。Jean Harris 在信中表达了她对 Herman Tarnower 关系的看法，认为他们的关系变得纯粹是交易性的。Herman Tarnower 付款的行为再次提醒 Jean Harris 他们的关系已经变成纯粹的交易。Jean Harris 对 Herman Tarnower 的情感依赖，如同她对药物的依赖一样。Jean Harris 与 Herman Tarnower 的关系破裂，她的精神和药物依赖问题加剧，导致她的行为和精神状态恶化。Jean Harris 的行为变得古怪和易怒，这反映了她日益恶化的精神状态。Herman Tarnower 拒绝带 Jean Harris 参加宴会，并邀请了他的助手 Lynn，这严重打击了 Jean Harris。Herman Tarnower 的行为让 Jean Harris 误以为她和 Lynn 的地位平等。Jean Harris 在信中表达了她对 Herman Tarnower 和 Lynn 的愤怒和怨恨。在药物戒断和睡眠不足的情况下，Jean Harris 前往纽约。Jean Harris 在前往纽约之前取消了所有预约，并联系了 Herman Tarnower。Jean Harris 原本计划在公园自杀。Herman Tarnower 对 Jean Harris 的到来感到厌烦，并要求她离开。Herman Tarnower 的管家负责更换 Jean Harris 和 Lynn 的衣物。Jean Harris 看到 Lynn 的衣物后，情绪失控，并将衣物扔向 Herman Tarnower。Jean Harris 的计划被打乱，她改变了主意，决定在 Herman Tarnower 的卧室自杀。Jean Harris 声称枪击 Herman Tarnower 是意外。Herman Tarnower 在枪击事件中受伤，并试图打电话给管家。Jean Harris 对枪击事件后发生的事情的回忆变得模糊不清。Jean Harris 声称她不知道如何装填或卸下枪支。Jean Harris 意识到 Herman Tarnower 受伤后，决定寻求帮助。Jean Harris 在逃跑时被警察拦下，并告知警察 Herman Tarnower 受伤了。Jean Harris 对案发当晚事件的描述前后矛盾。Jean Harris 坚持认为枪击 Herman Tarnower 是意外，但法医报告与她的说法相矛盾。法医报告显示 Herman Tarnower 身中四枪，这与 Jean Harris 的说法不符。法医报告直接驳斥了 Jean Harris 的说法。法医报告指出，Herman Tarnower 的伤势与 Jean Harris 的说法不符。选择陪审团的过程因为案件的知名度和陪审员对 Scarsdale 饮食的熟悉程度而变得困难。案件的宗教因素可能会影响陪审团的判断。检方认为 Jean Harris 杀害 Herman Tarnower 是出于嫉妒和愤怒。Herman Tarnower 的管家记录了案发前发生在房子里的事件。辩方认为 Jean Harris 枪杀 Herman Tarnower 是意外，她本打算自杀。Jean Harris 的证词既有利于辩方，也有可能损害辩方。Elena 和 Ash 推测这起案件可能是谋杀自杀未遂。一些观察者认为 Jean Harris 在证词中表现得冷漠和疏远。陪审团难以相信 Jean Harris 的精神疾病辩护。陪审团的最终判决是基于 Jean Harris 的证词和对案发事件的重演。陪审员认为 Jean Harris 有多次机会自杀，但她最终杀害了 Herman Tarnower。Jean Harris 在宣判时表示她没有谋杀 Herman Tarnower。Jean Harris 在狱中积极参与教养和教育项目。这起案件令人悲伤，因为本可以避免悲剧的发生。Elena 和 Ash 认为 Jean Harris 的谋杀动机可能源于嫉妒和绝望。Elena 和 Ash 认为 Jean Harris 和 Herman Tarnower 的悲剧本可以避免。

Deep Dive

Chapters
This chapter explores Jean Harris's successful career as a headmistress while simultaneously battling emotional turmoil in her relationship with Dr. Tarnower. Her dedication to her work contrasts sharply with her increasing reliance on medication and her desperate attempts to maintain a failing relationship.
  • Jean Harris's career success at an elite private school.
  • Her deteriorating relationship with Dr. Tarnower.
  • Her reliance on desoxyn and its impact on her mental state.
  • The transactional nature of her relationship with Tarnower.

Shownotes Transcript

When Jean Harris met Herman Tarnower in the winter of 1966, she quickly fell in love the charming doctor. Having just come out of a disappointing twenty-year marriage, Harris was desperate to find the love and stimulating partnership she’d long dreamed of, and believed she’d finally found it in the intellectual Tarnower and the two would live happily ever after. But fourteen years later, Tarnower was dead and Harris was on trial for his murder, her fantasy of happily ever after having crumbled around her.

Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!

References

Alexander, Shana. 1983. Very Much a Lady: The Untold Story of Jean Harris and Dr. Herman Tarnower. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.

Clendinen, Dudley. 1981. "Jean Harrids as a witness: sad, humorous, cutting." New York Times, January 28: B2.

Faron, James. 1980. "'Scarsdale Diet' doctor slain; headmistress charged." New York Times, March 12: A1.

Feron, James. 1981. "Defiant Jean Harris sentenced to mandatory fifteen years." New York Times, March 21: 1.

—. 1980. "Hard questioning is screening out Tarnower jurors." New York Times, November 13: B2.

—. 1980. "Jean Harris jury told of clothing found 'slashed'." New York Times, December 3: B1.

—. 1981. "Jurors in Harris trial re-enacted night of murder in deliberations." New York Times, February 26: A1.

—. 1980. "Policeman tells how Mrs. Harris described fight." New York Times, December 12: B1.

Haden-Guest, Anthony. 1980. "The headmistress and the diet doctor." New York Magazine, March 31.

The People of the State of New York v. Jean S. Harris. 1981. 84 A.D.2d 63 (Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department, December 30).

United Press International. 1981. "Juror says Mrs. Harris's tesimony was the key to murder." New York Times, February 25: B2.

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