One of the most high profile cases in the 1980's was that of New York lawyer Joel Steinberg, convicted of manslaughter for the beating death of his 6 year old adopted daughter, Lisa. His long time lover, Hedda Nussbaum, was also charged initially, but later, when she agreed to testify against Joel, charges were dropped against her. She was one of the most publicized battered women of that decade.

Steinberg has served 16 years of a maximum 25 year sentence and will be freed from jail today. Last year, he made headlines when it became known that he might have a job as host of a cable tv show. There was a huge uproar.

A spokesman for the show told Newsday that Mr. Steinberg will start as an intern working off the air and will earn $250 a week.

If you're not familiar with the case, all the gruesome details are here. Joel Steinberg was represented by New York defense lawyer Ira London, and Hedda was represented by Barry Scheck. The trial lasted three-months, and after eight days of deliberations, Steinberg was acquitted of second degree murder and convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter. Hedda went into treatment.

Update: Joel Steinberg's first day as a free man was a frenzy.