Danielle Dreher and her boyfriend Michael Minor spied on Danielle’s husband, Sarasota firefighter Sam Dreher and his girlfriend Dianne McKnight. Minor broke into McKnight’s apartment and stole $2000 worth of jewelry that Danielle believed belonged to her. Soon after the break-in, Minor shot San Dreher dead. Minor agreed to testify against Danielle and got 30 years in prison (15 for the burglary and theft). Danielle got 3 years for her ties to the burglary and theft — she was never charged in connection with Sam’s death.
Danielle Dreher’s attorney, Russell Kirshy, is appealing. Although court records show that while Minor was inside McKnight’s apartment, he was coached by Danielle to find the jewelry, Kirshy says Dreher isn’t guilty of burglary. He says she should have been charged with the lesser charge of trespassing not burglary. “Danielle didn’t actually go into the apartment; Michael did.” Kirshy also believes Minor is not reliable. “Michael has changed his story many times,” Kirshy says. “He was soliciting men on dating websites … He also had a wife who didn’t know anything that was going on.” Kirshy says, “We are asking for a whole new trial.” The deadline for Danielle Dreher’s appeal is March 31. Dateline NBC airs Fridays at 10pm on NBC.
