JUDGE

Judge Calls Off Trial Over Slain Millionaire's Residency

A June trial had been scheduled for 24-year-old Nathan Carman, of Vernon, Vermont, who's denied any role in his grandfather's shooting death in Connecticut in 2013.

A New Hampshire judge has called off the upcoming probate court trial of a man accused by relatives of killing his millionaire grandfather for inheritance money, saying the grandfather was not a resident of the state.

Judge David King said Friday that John Chakalos lived in Connecticut, even though he had a New Hampshire driver's license and registered to vote there.

A June trial had been scheduled for 24-year-old Nathan Carman, of Vernon, Vermont, who's denied any role in his grandfather's shooting death in Connecticut in 2013.

Carman also denies any role in the disappearance of his mother during a 2016 fishing trip. Carman's three aunts believe Carman killed her and are trying to prevent him from inheriting the mother's share of her father's estate.

The Chakalos family released a statement Friday saying they "respectfully but strongly disagree" with the judge's decision. They said Chakalos immersed himself in communities in New Hampshire where he spent all of his adult life. 

"The family is thoroughly considering its options for filing further actions in Connecticut and New Hampshire, to make sure that Nathan is held accountable for his lies, destruction of evidence and murderous conduct," said Dan Small of Holland & Knight LLP, a law firm representing the family. 

Furthermore, the family said they believe the evidence that Carman murdered his grandfather and mother is "overwhelming." 

Carman said he is pleased with the ruling.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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