Wife Of Lawyer Shot By Client Speaks Out For First Time
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The wife of the lawyer shot by a client is speaking out for the first time.
Lenora Harshman spoke about her marriage of more than two-dozen years and said she is heartbroken.
"We were very happy. We have been together 25 years. People say we are such a good couple. I know it and we have such great friends. We love each other," she said crying.
Lenora Harshman's husband, Larry, was shot multiple times in his law office Thursday and rushed to Kendall Regional Medical Center.
"He is a family guy, a wonderful guy. He is very well respected in the community," she said.
Police said Harshman was shot by 54-year-old Fadel Jabado.
The bodies of his wife, Bessima, and their 26-year-old son, Ahmed, were found inside their Southwest Miami-Dade home.
Police so far have only accused Jabado of shooting Harshman, who drew up the paperwork in 2013 when Jabado and his wife sold their home in a short sale.
"He was a previous client. Larry saved his home for free and he was very happy," Lenora Harshman said.
A friend of Jabado told CBS4's Peter D'Oench he was an ice cream truck driver who had financial problems and had fought with his wife over the previous sale of their home.
Detectives have not said why Harshman was shot.
"I only saw him twice. I only saw him twice. God forgive him for what he has done," Lenora Harshman said.
Brenda Lastre, who works in a law office by Harshman's firm, will never forget what she heard.
"We heard what sounded like someone hammering on the wall, perhaps four or five times," she said. "It's very scary, because I work in a law firm. It's very concerning."
Jabado was shot and captured in a field in Southwest Miami-Dade after police said he fired at them. He was taken to Jackson South Hospital.
No one was at Jabado's home when D'Oench checked.
Neighbor James Lewis was deeply shaken by the loss of Bessima and Ahmed Jabado.
"You shouldn't have to resort to that. It is just sickening," Lewis said.
Meanwhile, at a hearing Thursday, an uncle and aunt told judge Cindy Lederman they wanted to take care of Jabado's five children.
"Me and my wife, we hope to support all five of them," the uncle said.
The judge consented since a positive home study had already been completed. This family member also asked for a home study in case he was called upon to help.
The aunt and uncle will be taking care of three sons and two daughters.
The children will receive therapy to help them.
Judge Lederman ordered that the parental rights of Jabado be terminated.
A family friend also told us that Jabado was frustrated that his wife wanted to move back to New Jersey.
Meanwhile, Lenora Harshman is optimistic about her husband's recovery.
"Yes, yes, he's strong. He knows we are all with him," she said.
