By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-19 14:25:45 | Updated at 2026-08-19 14:37:34
12 minutes ago
The New Jersey grandfather who killed his two grandchildren in a drunken boat crash had a blood alcohol of twice the legal limit a prosecutor said — as the kids’ dad pleaded for him to be released from jail.
Judge Wendel Daniels granted the release of Stephen Schneider, 64, at an Ocean County court hearing Wednesday where it was revealed Schneider allegedly had a BAC of .16 – twice the legal limit of .08.
“The defendant consumed enough alcohol to reach a BAC of 0.16 and operate a vessel and the result was catastrophic,” prosecutor Kate Burke said as she asked for Schneider to remain in jail pending trial.
Schneider told cops he had three beers over two hours while at dinner with his wife, daughter, son-in-law, and two grandkids.
But Schneider’s lawyer, William Cunningham, said Schneider “will probably never be on a boat again … he will never be ingesting alcohol again … this has cut to the root of his family.”
Cunningham also read from a letter written by the dad of the kids pleading for Schneider’s release.
“He’s been there for our family in ways that words cannot fully express … he’s a Wonderful father-in-law …I’m grateful for the way he loved my children.”
