Neumann ordered to pay $5.4 million in unusual civil case

By Meg Heaton

In one of the more unusual civil cases in local history, St. Croix County Judge Eric Lundell awarded $5.4 million Wednesday, Dec. 15, to the estate of Jane Neumann to be paid by her husband, James Neumann.

The award included $400,000 in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. The award came as a result of a civil action filed by Jane Neumann's family on behalf of Jane's son against their former son-in-law, charging that Jim Neumann was involved in their daughter's death. A jury found for the family in June 1997.

Jane Neumann was found shot to death in her Trout Brook Road home in November of 1993. Although James Neumann first told police that an intruder had killed his wife, the St. Croix County Sheriff's Department ruled the death a suicide after Neumann told them he had destroyed a suicide note and thrown the weapon his wife used into the St. Croix River.

Jim Neumann now lives in Seattle with his wife, Heather (Hess), formerly of North Hudson, and their three children. Heather Neumann officially adopted Jane Neumann's son shortly after the couple relocated. Jim Neumann is a computer technician with Microsoft.

Lundell said that Neumann caused severe intentional emotional distress to Jane Neumann and that he could pay the damages awarded.

Neumann said he will never be able to pay off the award. But Hudson attorney Mark Gherty, who represented Jane's family, Charlie and Pat Johnston of Afton, said Neumann has the funds to pay the award, citing his cash on hand, his job bonuses and more than $1 million in Microsoft stock.

In an earlier agreement, Jim Neumann agreed to pay $550,000 in wrongful death damages to his son, Jonathan, as part of a settlement with the child's court-appointed guardian.

Jim Neumann intends to appeal the damage award and still maintains that he did not kill his wife. District Attorney Eric Johnson said that while there has not been sufficient evidence to bring charges against James Neumann to date, the investigation into Jane Neumann's death remains open.