Benjamin Neulander, the youngest of Carol and Rabbi Fred J. Neulander, testified on his father's behalf Thursday for about five minutes. He answered questions from Mount Holly defense attorney Michael Riley and faced no cross-examination. Here's an unofficial transcript of his testimony:

MICHAEL RILEY: Mr. Neulander, you are the youngest son of Rabbi Fred Neulander and Carol Neulander, correct?

BENJAMIN NEULANDER: Correct.

RILEY: If you would, share some of your experiences with your dad, as they relate to some of the issues we're dealing with here. Spoken earlier today, you know the topics that I'm going to discuss with you. With regards to your father as a father, for you growing up, could you share some of those experiences?

NEULANDER: Um, growing up, I just remember my father being around when you would expect your father to be around. He was a very busy man. He created something spectacular out of nothing and that took a lot of his time. But things like soccer games, swim meets, school events, at as many as he could, I remember seeing him there. Those were the good times.

I know that when I needed someone to be there for me, for any particular difficulty that I was having, he and I could relate on a very special level. I knew that as busy as he was, he would always be able find time to guide me with whatever issues I was having. That's what he did for many people was guide them. I knew that I could always count on him to be around for that.

RILEY: With regard to interaction that your dad had with other people, were you ever in occasion to see him interact with other people not in the congregation but in other aspects of community life?

NEULANDER: Sure. Of course. Besides the fact that he had a very special relationship with all of my close friends. They all considered my father a special man. They were all very close to him in a different way that you could be close to someone else's father, mostly because he was their rabbi also, for the most part. There was just a sort of different relationship he was able to have with my friends than they would have with other parents of the group.

But I think of when I was in high school, my father would come in and teach for a few days in, like, a family living class. It could just have been my own excitement about him being there, but it felt like there was just a buzz about the school. People were excited that Rabbi Neulander was coming in to speak. This class was only for seniors and it seemed as if people would wait. They couldn't wait to have this class for many of the speakers but I really felt like he was one of the main reasons that people would be so excited to take this interesting class.

RILEY: Mr. Neulander, this jury is in a position to decide whether your father lives or dies, you know that?

NEULANDER: Mmm hmm.

RILEY: What thoughts would you share with them on that issue?

NEULANDER: Um, I'm a teacher. One of the biggest reasons that I'm a teacher is because of my father. So I think that speaks for just his influence on me. I think he led me down an amazing path where in the four years I've been doing it, I've been able to help. If it's only been one kid so far, that's great. And he sent me down that path. But I'm just one person who he came into contact with and I don't think he influenced me any more, any less, than any of the other thousands of people he's come in contact with over the years. And he sent me down a good and a strong path. I think that there are other people he can do that for still.

I just, listening to (former congregant) Miss (Beth) Blough speak, she kept on saying that he was the only choice, that he was the only choice for the wedding and the baby naming and that when I needed someone to speak to, he was the only number I could think of to call. I just wonder how many other hundreds of other people out there felt the exact same way? I know I did. I'm sure that there are many, many. I know that he still has the ability to affect people in that positive way.

RILEY: With regard to that sir, do you have any requests to make to the jury?

NEULANDER: I just, I request that they give him the chance to affect other people in the positive way that he has proven, without a doubt, that he can do. Just give him the chance to show that he can still do that because I know that he can.

RILEY: Thank you sir. Thank you judge.