6) The murder of Nina Reiser

6) The murder of Nina Reiser

Hans Reiser (left), founded Namesys, developed a pioneering computer filing system and was convicted of murdering his wife.

After Nina Reiser went missing in September 2006, police began compiling a case against Reiser. During his murder trial, Reiser's attorneys tried to use a "geek defense." Neighbors saw him hosing down his car's interior and he also removed his car's front passenger seat. Why? Because geeks do odd things, said his lawyers.

Reiser was convicted of first-degree murder, but the charge was reduced when Reiser agreed to reveal the location of his estranged wife's remains. For second-degree murder, he was sentenced to 15 years to life.