Crime | Samuel Israel Israel to Judge: I Did Attempt Suicide Painless or not, hedge-fund scammer couldn't off himself By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Jul 3, 2008 11:24 AM CDT Copied Fugitive investor Samuel Israel leaves U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mass., after turning himself to authorities on Wednesday, July 2, 2008. (AP Photo/The Springfield Republican, Christopher Evans) A hedge-fund cheat who faked his death to try to dodge a 20-year prison sentence has told a judge that he did actually try to commit suicide this week. Samuel Israel appeared in Manhattan federal court today for a new charge that could get him an extra 10 years. A massive manhunt ended yesterday when Israel surrendered in Massachusetts. Israel disappeared on the day he was to report to prison. He abandoned his SUV on a bridge north of New York City with the words "Suicide is Painless" scrawled in dust on the hood. He was sentenced in April for conspiracy and fraud for scamming half a billion dollars from investors. Read These Next Gavin Newsom has filed a massive lawsuit against Fox News. Trumps ends trade talks with Canada. New York Times ranks the best movies of the 21st century. White House rolls with Trump's 'daddy' nickname. Report an error