But Carol said she was fine and ended the one-hour phone call so she could speak with the men. Jenoff and Daniels now say Jenoff struck the first blow, which took place in the hallway just after the phone call ended. Drops of Carol's blood were found on the hardwood floors there. Carol dropped to her knees, investigators speculate. She put her hands behind her head to ward off the the ensuing blows from behind.
Accounts differ as to what happened next.
Jenoff contends he struck only the single blow. Daniels admits to taking part in the beating, but says Jenoff swung the final blow. Carol Neulander appeared to have been struck about seven times, investigators found. Whatever the number, Carol fell face down on the carpeted living room floor, partly under a glass-topped coffee table. Her eyeglasses flew off.