On Monday morning, August 4, 1997, Harold Eugene Leifeste, 67, of San Antonio, Texas was shot repeatedly in the head and neck by a man wearing black camouflage-type paint on his face and a hat on his head.

Leifeste’s wife, Mary, and a city water crew witnessed the slaying.

Mary had an idyllic life growing up in San Marcos, where she later met and married Leifeste. Her 2010 obituary noted she “embraced with a passion her life as a proud military spouse, traveling with Harold to Japan, Germany and Italy.”

“Mary was a delightful combination of Texas girl and world traveler, a loving and caring wife and mother with an artistic talent for decorating, cooking, entertaining and living life to its fullest. Mary worked for many years for CPS (City Public Service).”

Court records show that Fredrick Edward Aschbacher, then 56, was charged with murder and jailed on $250,000 bail. He was initially sentenced to 55 years in a state penitentiary.

Known by many as Eddie Aschbacher, the prisoner had his first parole review on February 2, 2025, just 19 days shy of his 84th birthday.

According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, his maximum release date is August 3, 2052. Today, at 84 years old, he remains in a cell at the Skyview Unit penitentiary in northwest Rusk, Texas.

Aschbacher received a Bachelor of Science from studies at San Antonio College and the University of Texas.

What many of our friends in high school do not know is that Aschbacher was our coach and teacher in the early 1970s.

During my senior year (Dodie’s junior term) at McCollum High School in 1972-1973, Aschbacher taught Math I and coached the Junior Varsity football and basketball teams.

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Documentation from an August 8, 2001 filed and delivered appeal in the 290th Judicial District Court in Bexar County, Texas, tells the story. 

“Fredrick Edward Aschbacher was convicted of murder and sentenced to fifty-five years confinement,” wrote Justice Karen Angelini. “He appeals his conviction in five issues. We affirm.”

The “Factual and Procedural Background” report presented to the Court states “Aschbacher suffered from a delusional disorder. Because of his disorder, he developed a belief that Harold Leifeste was having an affair with his wife. Aschbacher also believed that Leifeste was the head of security at United Services Automobile Association (USAA) and that Leifeste was monitoring his activities for the purposes of having him killed.”

“Aschbacher feared alerting the police because of his belief that Leifeste had contacts within local law enforcement. There was, in fact, no basis for Aschbacher’s delusional beliefs concerning Leifeste.”

“Aschbacher wrote threatening letters to Leifeste,” the file indicates. “After he was told to stay away from Leifeste, Aschbacher bought a pistol and designed a plan to kill Leifeste.”

“In  accordance with his plan, Aschbacher darkened his face and hid in the bushes outside Leifeste’s home. As Leifeste left his house, Aschbacher shot him more than twenty times, killing him.”

“Aschbacher then threw the gun onto Leifeste’s roof, raised his hands over his head, and admitted to a witness that he shot Leifeste. Aschbacher fled the scene. However, once the police located him, they apprehended him peaceably. After he was arrested, Aschbacher made a statement to the police, admitting his guilt.”

“A jury found Aschbacher guilty of murder and the trial court sentenced him to fifty-five years confinement and assessed a $10,000 fine.”

Aschbacher and his attorney prepared for an insanity defense with testimony Zane Aschbacher, Aschbacher’s brother. He explained that he had noticed a change in his brother’s personality beginning in October  of 1996.

According to Zane, Aschbacher began to take very little interest in his family and was dissatisfied with his job. Zane discussed Aschbacher’s belief that his wife was having an affair with Leifeste, claiming that he was skeptical regarding its truth. Zane stated that it was clear to him that Aschbacher was not well and that he recommended to Aschbacher that he seek help.

Three psychiatrists testified on Aschbacher’s behalf: 

● Dr. John Sparks, Medical Director for Correctional Health Care Services. He diagnosed Aschbacher to be “suffering from a severe delusional disorder and was of the opinion that Aschbacher was not competent to stand trial.”

And I’ve talked to him several times since the initial interview. I have found him, too, without variation, tells me each time that he believes he did the right thing. And I believe he thinks he did the right thing. Therefore, it is my opinion that he was insane at the time.

Dr. John Sparks

● Dr. Cesar Garcia, who did a sanity evaluation and testified “Aschbacher to be suffering from a severe delusional disorder and determined that, at the time of the charged conduct, Aschbacher did not believe that his conduct was wrong.”

Dr. Michael Arambula not only met with Aschbacher, but also with members of his family. He said Aschbacher had a delusional disorder and that “his thinking was psychotic.” According to Dr. Arambula, “based upon [Aschbacher’s] delusional beliefs, he believed his conduct was right.”

The State’s witness was Dr. Richard Coons who also concluded that Aschbacher suffered from a severe mental disease.

According to Dr. Coons, Aschbacher understood the legal consequences  of his actions. “And, although his conduct before the murder was somewhat strange, his actions during and immediately following the killing indicate Aschbacher knew his conduct was wrong.”

Aschbacher’s defense counsel explained to the court that Leifeste, the victim, and a retired/visiting judge were friends.

“The judge is the father of the assistant district attorney responsible for prosecuting this case,” and they raised the issue because of this friendship, the judge’s “influential” position, and his daughter’s role in the case, “the district attorney’s office was biased and could not fairly prosecute this case. Defense counsel then went on to suggest that the State hired Dr. Coons because of this bias and that Dr. Coons’ determination that Aschbacher was legally sane was pre-determined.”

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