CT - John Chakalos, 87, Windsor, 20 December 2013 *Grandson arrested in 2022, found dead in 2023*

[YESorNO]

Judge to reconsider home of late grandfather in Carman case

April 23, 2019

"CONCORD, N.H. — A New Hampshire probate judge is going to reconsider whether the court has jurisdiction over the estate of the millionaire grandfather of a Vermont man accused by relatives of shooting him to death in Connecticut in 2013.

Earlier this month, Nathan Carman, of Vernon, Vermont, argued in court documents that the estate of his grandfather John Chakalos was limited to one-half interest of a New Hampshire condominium.

The judge had earlier rejected a similar argument by Carman that his grandfather was a Connecticut resident, but Carman argued that new evidence provided by Chakalos' former estate planner shows otherwise.

The records "show that Mr. Chakalos spent nearly every day in Connecticut, regularly eating meals there, but rarely doing so in New Hampshire," said Carman's April 3 filing, originally filed under seal...."

Judge to reconsider home of late grandfather in Carman case

 

[YESorNO]

Nathan Carman asks judge to reconsider whether his murdered grandfather was really a New Hampshire resident

APR 29, 2019

"Nathan Carman is hoping that credit card receipts belonging to his murdered grandfather that show he spent way more time in Windsor than in New Hampshire will convince a judge to dismiss the petition filed by his aunts just a month before a trial is to begin.

One of Carman’s new attorneys has filed a motion with Probate Judge David King arguing that new information that wasn’t previously available when the judge first addressed the issue of John Chakalos’ residency could sway him to change his ruling....

The sisters’ attorneys submitted three pieces of evidence to show that John Chakalos was a New Hampshire resident – a valid driver’s license, the fact he was registered to vote in West Chesterfield and that his will had been filed there in 2014 without challenge.

...King scheduled Monday’s hearing because “new, potentially dispositive information that bears on this court’s jurisdiction that likely wasn’t available to either party has since come to light.”

That evidence includes all of John Chakalos’ business and credit card records from 2013 which show that Chakalos spent roughly six days a week in Windsor in the house where he was murdered and only one day a week in West Chesterfield, where the family owns a home.

The credit cards records show he ate lunch and dinner out almost every day in Connecticut restaurants...."

Nathan Carman asks judge to reconsider whether his murdered grandfather was really a New Hampshire resident

 

[YESorNO]

Spofford Hall demolition plan could have fall hearing

April 29, 2019

"CHESTERFIELD, N.H. — The owners of the former Spofford Hall are preparing an application for a demolition permit for the mold-infested, 90,000-square-foot building that was once a substance abuse rehabilitation center.

"They will need a demolition permit through the town's code enforcement officer," James Corliss, the chairman of the Chesterfield Planning Board told the Reformer on Friday. "It's like a building permit in reverse."...

"Jim stated this is a long process and will he probably not be back to the Planning Board until August or September with the preliminary plans," said Jon McKeon, chairman of the Chesterfield Board of Selectmen.

The fate of Spofford Hall, which was shuttered in 1995, had been on hold for a number of years....

Spofford Hall was built in 1980 by John Chakalos, of Windsor, Conn., where Nine A LLC is located. Chakalos, who also had a home in Chesterfield, was shot dead in his Windsor home on Dec. 20, 2013. His grandson, Nathan Carman, of Vernon, was named by the Windsor Police Department as the main suspect in Chakalos' death, but prosecutors returned unsigned an arrest warrant.

Carman's three aunts have also accused him of killing his mother, Linda Carman, when his boat, the Chicken Pox, went down in deep water off the coast of Block Island in September 2016.

The aunts have filed a so-called "slayer petition" with New Hampshire Probate Court, which is adjudicating the status of the Chakalos estate, arguing that because he is responsible for the death of his mother and grandfather, Carman should not receive any of the proceeds from the estate of his grandfather. His portion of that estate is estimated to be $7 million."

Spofford Hall demolition plan could have fall hearing

(Reformer File Photo Spofford Hall, once a rehabilitation center, on Route 9A, may soon be demolished to make room for a five-home cluster development on Spofford Lake.)

 

[YESorNO]

NH judge dismisses 'slayer' suit against Nathan Carman (with clip)
Carman's attorney claimed his grandfather was actually a resident of Connecticut, not New Hampshire where the lawsuit was filed, and the judge agreed.

May 10th 2019

"CONCORD, N.H. (WLNE) - A New Hampshire probate judge dismissed the lawsuit against Nathan Carman this week – leaving him eligible for his $7 million inheritance.

"There are a lot of obstacles to overcome here to prevent him from getting the $7 million in spite of the fact that the circumstances in both cases are very suspect – very, very suspect," explained ABC 6 Legal Analyst Ken Schreiber....

The aunts filed a 'slayer' petition in New Hamsphire court to keep Carman from getting his mother's inheritance because they believe he killed their father....

Schreiber says it doesn't leave his aunts with too many ways to keep him from getting the money.

"There's nothing in Connecticut to stop him except an actual criminal murder charge," said Schreiber. "What we do know is New Hampshire is out of the picture."

Carman has not been criminally charged in either death.

His aunts said in a statement they are disappointed in the judge's decision and they plan to explore what other options they have in New Hampshire and Connecticut to hold their nephew accountable...."

NH judge dismisses 'slayer' suit against Nathan Carman

 

[YESorNO]

Carman decision reveals NH residency law conflicts

May 11, 2019

"...A judge’s surprising ruling comes thanks to the complexity, if not inherent contradictions, of New Hampshire residency laws....

The decision is all the more eye-turning especially to conservatives who two years ago beefed up voter registration requirements aimed largely at out-of-state college students starting in 2020.

“This has thrown all residency into chaos,” said former Senate Majority Leader and lobbyist Bob Clegg who’s defended Gov. Chris Sununu signing the law change that went all the way up to the Supreme Court last fall.

“The decision now appears to allow every person who winters in a warmer climate to be challenged at the voting polls as non-citizens. It also calls into question certain tax exemptions from elderly or veteran which can only be granted to residents.”..."

Carman decision reveals NH residency law conflicts

 

[YESorNO]

New Hampshire Judge will not reconsider lawsuit against Middletown native Nathan carman (with clip)

May 31, 2019

"(WTNH) - A New Hampshire judge will not reconsider a lawsuit against a Middletown native accused by relatives of killing his wealthy grandfather for inheritance money.

The judge threw out the suit filed by his aunts against Nathan Carman earlier this month, ruling the case was not in his jurisdiction...."

New Hampshire Judge will not reconsider lawsuit against Middletown native Nathan carman

 

[YESorNO]

Nathan Carman lawsuit in R.I. slated for trial in August

June 18, 2019

"Nathan Carman, the Vermont man at the center of separate probes into the murder of his wealthy grandfather and disappearance of his mother at sea, now has a trial date in a pending Rhode Island lawsuit tied to his mother’s presumed death.

The lawsuit filed against Carman, 25, by the insurer of his sunken boat is scheduled to go to trial Aug. 12 in US District Court in Providence, records show....

The insurer wants to block Carman’s $85,000 claim on the sunken vessel, alleging that Carman made alterations to the boat in a deliberate attempt to sink it with his mother on board. Carman denies intentionally harming his mother and has said through counsel that the sinking was accidental...."

Nathan Carman lawsuit in R.I. slated for trial in August - The Boston Globe

 

[YESorNO]

Fishing boat captain’s report challenges Nathan Carman’s account of his sinking boat, mother’s disappearance, escape by raft

JUL 18, 2019

"A fishing boat captain’s report could cast doubt on Nathan Carman’s account of where his boat, the Chicken Pox, sank in waters off Block Island, his mother was lost, and he clambered into a fluorescent orange inflatable raft and began eight days of drifting before his rescue in September 2016.

Alex Aucoin, captain of the 82-foot Prudence, an offshore lobster vessel, said in court papers filed Wednesday his crew was fishing in a spot on the same day and within a few miles of where Carman reported going down and did not see any sign of a sinking boat, a raft or anyone in distress...

Aucoin’s statement is contained in a 58-page document filed by insurance companies seeking to deny Carman’s $85,000 claim for his sunken boat. The proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law was filed ahead of a trial set for next month before U.S. District Judge William Smith in Providence.

The Prudence’s automatic identification system places the vessel in the area known as Block Canyon “on the very day Carman claims to have sunk there and … confirms Prudence was within a few miles of where Carman says he was trolling. Aucoin did not see the boat or a life raft that day in Block Canyon,” the document says.

In an interview Thursday, Aucoin, 36, of North Kingston, R.I., said he spoke to an insurance company lawyer on the phone, and a face to face meeting was planned soon.

He said he didn’t know Carman and only knew of his story from media accounts. Aucoin was asked if the fact that he saw no sign of the boat or raft on what was a clear day with miles of visibility discredited Carman’s account in his mind.

“That’s for a jury to decide,” Aucoin said...."

Fishing boat captain’s report challenges Nathan Carman’s account of his sinking boat, mother’s disappearance, escape by raft

 

[YESorNO]

Judge won’t allow testimony about the murder of Nathan Carman’s grandfather at upcoming federal trial

AUG 08, 2019

"A Rhode Island federal judge Thursday ruled that evidence regarding the murder of John Chakalos will not be allowed into testimony next week when the trial over Nathan Carman’s insurance claim for his lost boat goes to trial.

The trial is scheduled to start Tuesday and lawyers for the insurance companies have been gathering evidence and were prepared to try and show that Carman murdered Chakalos — his grandfather — in December 2013 as part of a scheme to inherit $7 million from the estate. The second part of that alleged scheme was the sinking of his boat in September 2016 with his mother Linda Carman on board. She has never been found.

But in a teleconference call Thursday, U. S. District Judge John J. McConnell narrowed the scope of the trial and ruled that no testimony about the Windsor murder will be admitted....

Linda Carman was lost at sea in September 2016 while tuna fishing with her son off the coast of Long Island in an area known as Block Canyon. Carman told authorities that the boat started taking on water and sank quickly and that he managed to jump onto a life raft — but that he didn’t see what happened to his mother.

Carman didn’t activate the emergency beacon on his boat, despite having opportunity to do so. He was rescued eight days later by a freighter that saw his raft floating about 600 miles off Martha’s Vineyard.

Carman has admitted to making changes to the boat the day before the ill-fated voyage, including removing the boat’s “trim tabs," which are critical for navigation. After the sinking, the insurance company denied his claim, arguing that the changes made the boat unseaworthy and it sank because of Carman’s actions.

Farrell is prepared to call experts who will testify that Carman’s story is false....

Court documents also show that a Woods Hole oceanographer emeritus, Richard Limeburner, will testify that ocean current and wind data and information from weather buoys and other sources contradict Carman’s account of an eight-day drift and that based on tide information he wouldn’t have drifted toward Martha’s Vineyard if the boat sank where he said it did...."

Judge won’t allow testimony about the murder of Nathan Carman’s grandfather at upcoming federal trial


RI - Linda Carman, 54, Point Judith, 18 Sept 2016

 

[YESorNO]

Nathan Carman boat case heads to trial Tuesday

Aug 10, 2019

"PROVIDENCE — It’s a legal battle over an $85,000 insurance claim for a sunken boat, but the fiercely litigated case is about so much more. It encompasses allegations of murder, fraud and deceit that have pitted family members against each other.

Tuesday marks the first day of the trial before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell Jr. over insurance companies’ refusal to cover Nathan Carman’s claim for the 31-foot aluminum boat Chicken Pox, which sank in September 2016 after leaving Ram Point Marina in South Kingstown....

McConnell issued an order Friday specifying that he would not be trying, at least initially, counts that allege intentional acts by Carman. The judge is also not allowing evidence regarding either the shooting death of Carman’s grandfather, John Chakalos in 2013, or questions about whether Carman caused the death of his mother.

The court will, however, be trying four counts focusing on whether Carman’s alleged removal of the bulkhead and trim tabs, and his repair of transom holes to determine if those acts invalidated the insurance contract by increasing the risk that the boat would sink without the insurers’ knowledge. In addition, McConnell, who is trying the case without a jury, will consider Carman’s allegations that the insurance companies are breaching their contract....

The police have identified Carman as “a person of interest” in the 2013 shooting death of his millionaire grandfather, a real estate developer, but no one has been charged. Carman has vigorously denied he had anything to do with the death...."

Nathan Carman boat case heads to trial Tuesday

 

[YESorNO]

Civil Trial Over Insurance For Nathan Carman’s ‘Suspicious’ Boat Sinking Underway (with clip)

August 13, 2019

"PROVIDENCE, R.I. (CBS/AP) — A civil trial underway in Providence will determine whether insurance companies should cover Nathan Carman‘s $85,000 claim for his boat that sank off New England in 2016.

Insurers are refusing to pay the claim, saying Carman made suspicious alterations to the 31-foot vessel before leaving Rhode Island with his mother on a fishing trip....

The federal judge hearing the non-jury trial that began on Tuesday says testimony will be limited to questions surrounding the insurance claim.

Lawyers for the insurance company said one of the altercations Carman made right before setting out was drilling holes right above the water line and not properly patching them.

They also called the boat’s prior owner, Brian Woods to testify that the Chicken Pox was seaworthy when he retrofitted and sold it to Carman.

Carman’s lawyers said Woods took advantage of his lack of experience and sold him a defective boat...."

Civil Trial Over Insurance For Nathan Carman's 'Suspicious' Boat Sinking Underway

 

[YESorNO]

FOX61‏Verified account @FOX61News 11h11 hours ago
It's been nearly 3 years since Nathan Carman was rescued off the coast of Rhode Island after a week on a life raft. Carman will be in court today for an $85,000 insurance claim on the boat, but many questions remain. @AshleyAfonso has details this AM.

(video clip: FOX61 on Twitter )


Brandon Truitt‏Verified account @BrandonTruittTV 11h11 hours ago
Heading into court for the trail of Nathan Carman over his insurance company’s refusal to pay the claim for his boat that sank in 2016. Carman was rescued a week later. His mother was never found. @wpri12

Todd Kazakiewich‏ @ToddKazakiewich 11h11 hours ago
In opening statement, attorney for boat insurance company tells Judge that Nathan Carman made his boat (“Chicken Pox”) “unseaworthy.” “This is a case about a boat that left (Ram Point Marina in South Kingstown, RI) with holes in it & sank 12 hours later.” #wcvb


Todd Kazakiewich‏ @ToddKazakiewich 11h11 hours ago
Attorney for boat insurance company tells Judge that Nathan Carman was in the life raft adrift at sea “significantly shorter than 7 days” as initially reported, promises testimony to that effect during this bench trial. #wcvb


Todd Kazakiewich‏ @ToddKazakiewich 11h11 hours ago
Attorney for Nathan Carman says the boat was not structurally sound...long before Carman bought it. “Mr. Carman was a young 22 y/o kid w/ more $ than experience. He (boat seller) took advantage of him & sold him the boat.” #wcvb


Ashley Afonso‏Verified account @AshleyAfonso 11h11 hours ago
In opening argument - Defense arguing that insurance company tried to change terms of #NathanCarman’s policy.


Dave Altimari‏ @davealtimari 10h10 hours ago
Anderson says that Nathan Carman is never going to be able to prove precisely what made his boat sink.


Michelle San Miguel‏ @NBC10_Michelle 9h9 hours ago
Carman’s attorney, David Anderson, says the boat that Nathan bought was never designed to be a boat and he argues the man who sold him the boat took advantage of a then 22-year old man who had more money than experience. @NBC10


Alexandra Leslie‏Verified account @AlexandraLeslie 9h9 hours ago
EARLIER: Nathan Carman & his lawyer entered court around 9 AM. Both did not comment when reporters asked questions on their way inside. They were carrying multiple boxes of evidence for Carman's civil trial regarding insurance claims on his boat that sank in 2016. @wpri12

(video clip: Alexandra Leslie on Twitter )


Hartford Courant‏Verified account @hartfordcourant 9h9 hours ago
At the start of the federal trial about the sinking of Nathan Carman’s boat, a lawyer for his insurance company said a hypothermia expert will testify there is little chance Carman was drifting in a life raft for a week before his rescue


Todd Kazakiewich‏ @ToddKazakiewich 9h9 hours ago
Brian Woods, of Kingston, is the man who sold “Chicken Pox” to Nathan Carman. The purchase price was $48,000. Woods testified Carman paid for the boat, but not for $800 in additional work. #wcvb


Todd Kazakiewich‏ @ToddKazakiewich 9h9 hours ago
Woods describes the boat “Chicken Pox” that he sold to Nathan Carman, “it was a beautiful-running boat,” he says, adding that the hull was, “solid as a rock.”

 

[YESorNO]

Michelle San Miguel‏ @NBC10_Michelle 8h8 hours ago
Insurance company’s first witness: Brian Woods. He sold the Chicken Pox to Nathan Carman. Woods testified that he installed bulkheads, which he says give boat structure and keep it from twisting, vibrating. @NBC10


Michelle San Miguel‏ @NBC10_Michelle 8h8 hours ago
No cameras are allowed in federal court. Here’s a rendering of Nathan Carman seated in court today. @NBC10

Providence Journal‏Verified account @projo 7h7 hours ago
Witness: Nathan Carman displayed 'lack of respect for the ocean' https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20190813/witness-nathan-carman-displayed-lack-of-respect-for-ocean … via @kmulvne


Dave Altimari‏ @davealtimari 7h7 hours ago
Brian Woods the man who retrofitted the Chicken Pox and sold it to Nathan Carman for $48k said Carman seemed “to have a complete lack of respect for the ocean.”


Dave Altimari‏ @davealtimari 5h5 hours ago
Under cross examination Nathan Carman’s attorney Brian Woods admits that he can’t remember how he actually installed the trim tabs on the Chicken Pox. The tabs are a key part of the case because Carman removed them and left holes that insurers say he didn’t properly fill.


Ryan Welch‏ @RyanWelchPhotog 2h2 hours ago
3 different markets and lots of live shots are set up here in Downtown Providence covering the Nathan Carman case at federal court, so we had to get a little creative with space for our live shot. Hope this person doesn’t need to leave anytime soon.

 

[YESorNO]

Civil trial over Nathan Carman’s sunken boat claim gets underway (with clip)

August 13, 2019

"...In their opening statement, the plaintiffs said: “this is a case about a boat that left Ram Point Marina with holes in it.”...

The defense is seeking to prove the vessel was old and had issues before Carman bought it....

The defense also claims the insurance policy was changed multiple times based on the known facts of the case.

The first person called to testify was Brian Woods, who sold Carman the boat just 10 months before it sank. He said the vessel was in great condition at the time after years spent working on it.

The judge is giving each side 15 hours to present their case and he’s using a chess clock to keep track. There’s also no jury in the trial, so the judge will be the deciding factor.

Carman is listed as a witness for both sides but it’s unclear whether he’ll be called to testify. He sat in silence on Tuesday, only shaking his head in disapproval at times...."

Civil trial over Nathan Carman’s sunken boat claim gets underway

 

[YESorNO]

Brandon Truitt‏Verified account @BrandonTruittTV 1h1 hour ago
Nathan Carman and his attorney have arrived to Federal Court for day two of the civil case against him. @wpri12

(video clip: Brandon Truitt on Twitter )


Todd Kazakiewich‏ @ToddKazakiewich 1h1 hour ago
Nathan Carman arrives for day 2 of his civil trial. The insurance company for his sunken boat & the company that sold the policy are suing him. They rejected his $85,000 claim due to unsafe modifications they say he made to the boat “Chicken Pox”. #wcvb #Providence

(video clip: Todd Kazakiewich on Twitter )


Dave Altimari‏ @davealtimari 54m54 minutes ago
Getting a late start today in Nathan Carman trial the judges first order if business was to tell attorneys how much of the 15 hours they’ve been allotted were used. Plaintiff(insurance) 2 hours 40 minutes, Defense(Carman) 2 hours 50 minutes.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 46m46 minutes ago
Back in Providence for day two of the Nathan Carman trial. Starting with testimony of Bernard Feeney, marine surveyor who inspected Chicken Pox in December 2015 after Nathan Carman purchased the boat

Man whose mother disappeared during boat trip faces judge on insurance claim


Dave Altimari‏ @davealtimari 37m37 minutes ago
The first witness is a marine surveyor who joined Nathan Carman and Brian Woods to test drive the Chicken Pox before the sale. The first test drive was aborted because of a faulty hose clamp. On second test drive boat passed. He considered the boat to be in “average condition.”


Todd Kazakiewich‏ @ToddKazakiewich 16m16 minutes ago
Boat expert Bernard Feeney (retained by the insurance company) testifies about the bulkhead Nathan Carman allegedly removed from his boat: “They are structural components of the boat...there’s a certainty that that boat is going to be in peril at some point in time.” #wcvb


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 14m14 minutes ago
In Federal Court for day 2 of Nathan Carman’s civil trial where it’ll be decided whether insurance companies will cover Carman's $85k claim for his boat that sank off New England in 2016. Bernard Feeney is testifying now about a bulkhead Carman allegedly took off the boat. @ABC6

 

[YESorNO]

Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 1h1 hour ago
Feeny is still on the stand, being questioned. He checked out the boat when Nathan Carman purchased it in 2015 and gave it the OK — saying it was in good condition. We’re now looking at the surveyor report that’s showing a moisture meter attached to the boat. @ABC6

Scott McDonnell‏Verified account @ScottMcDonnell_ 1h1 hour ago
Insurance co. says Nathan Carman made suspicious alterations to boat he says "sank" killing his mother. Hypothermia experts call floating at sea for 8 days unlikely I flew w/ @uscoastguard during search Scoured area & saw nothing Days later...Carman found floating on raft @WTNH

Dave Altimari‏ @davealtimari 28m28 minutes ago
After Attorneys spend few hours questioning marine surveyor Bernard Feeney, Judge John McConnell asks him 2 questions- was Chicken Pox seaworthy when you inspected it? And was it seaworthy after Nathan Carman made alterations to it?

 

[YESorNO]

Hartford Courant‏Verified account @hartfordcourant 1m1 minute ago
A marine surveyor testified Wednesday that Nathan Carman's boat was likely slowly taking on water during the 12 hours it was on a fishing trip because of the holes Carman drilled in the hull

Nathan Carman trial: Expert says boat was taking on water from holes drilled in hull by Carman before it sank


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 1m1 minute ago
Brian Woods, the man who sold Nathan Carman the boat: “He modified the boat. That’s why it sank. I can’t explain why anyone would do that.” Woods says he left that day with an odd feeling and Carman didn’t seem excited to be a new boat owner. @ABC6

 

[YESorNO]

Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 6m6 minutes ago
Nathan Carman leaves court on day 2 of his civil trial. Testimony resumes tomorrow morning. @ABC6

(video clip: Amanda Pitts on Twitter )

 

[YESorNO]

Rick Green‏ @VTConfidential 1m1 minute ago
Doomed voyage: expert at Nathan Carman trial testifies that holes drilled by Carman caused boat to fill with water and sink. https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-nathan-carman-trial-day2-20190814-dbxnirsasbhjzjqek346ipoklu-story.html …

 

[YESorNO]

Dave Altimari‏ @davealtimari 3h3 hours ago
Looks like day 3 of the Nathan Carman trial will get off to slow start the judge is sitting at the attorneys table with all of them gathered around going through all the insurance documents in the case trying to get both side to sign off on what shall be admitted.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Day 3 of the Nathan Carman trial in federal court in Providence, which starts with Michael Pellerin, VP of Boat US, to talk about Carman's boat insurance policy

Man whose mother disappeared during boat trip faces judge on insurance claim


Scott McDonnell‏Verified account @ScottMcDonnell_ 58m58 minutes ago
The Nathan Carman civil trial is shedding a lot of light into an investigation packed with mystery & unanswered questions. - Lawyers for the insurance company say Carman altered the boat "Chicken Pox" including drilling holes in it @BrandonTruittTV w/ our coverage from RI @WTNH

(video clip: Scott McDonnell on Twitter )


Dave Altimari‏ @davealtimari 48m48 minutes ago
BoatUS executive on stand in day 3 of Nathan Carman trial to lay out his insurance for the Chicken Pox. Carman originally had $66k insurance but less than a month later sought increase to $85k because he bought new life raft and other equipment.