CONCORD, N.H. — Nathan Carman will be put on trial in New Hampshire's civil probate and trust court this summer, answering to his aunts' claim he killed their father in an effort to gain access to his multi-million dollar estate.
Carman is accused by his family of murdering his grandfather in 2013 and then killing his mother on a boating trip in 2016. He has not been formally charged for the death of his grandfather, though he was initially named a person of interest by Windsor Police in Connecticut. His mother is presumed ‘lost at sea’ and no charges have been filed in her disappearance.
The young man was recently granted access to a trust established by his wealthy grandfather in Connecticut in order to hire new attorneys. Carman had been representing himself in court after parting ways with two prior attorneys.
Last week, Judge David King issued an order acknowledging Carman's attorneys and scheduling his trial beginning at 9 a.m. June 10.
The road to trial has been paved with discarded legal teams and parallel lawsuits in neighboring states.
Valerie Santilli, Elaine Chakalos and Charlene Gallagher, the daughters of John Chakalos, are seeking to have Carman removed as a beneficiary of Chakalos' estate by invoking the 'slayer action.' That would allow Judge King to decide Carman was responsible for the murder of his grandfather and the disappearance of his mother and excise him from the will.
Carman's insurance company is refusing to pay his claim in Rhode Island for the boat that sank in late 2016. The insurance company claims Carman tampered with the boat and deliberately caused it to sink.
It was in that Rhode Island case that Carman's attorneys disclosed documents from the Windsor Police Department's investigation into his grandfather's Connecticut murder. The documents identify a potential witness referred to as "mistress X" who was a young woman, for whom Chakalos had allegedly purchased gifts of a sexual nature.
Carman had previously parted ways with two legal teams in New Hampshire before he sued for access to his trust, which his aunt was refusing to allow him to access for legal fees. Earlier this year, Carman was granted access to more than $100,000 in order to hire a legal team to represent him in the case against his aunts.
Attorney Dan Small has been removed from the legal team representing Carman's aunts after Judge King issued a rebuke to the team in December, saying they had been taking advantage of Carman's pro se status.
According to Judge King's latest ruling, discovery is set to be completed by May 10 and depositions exchanged by May 31.
MORE:
[ New England's Unsolved Podcast: John Chakalos ]
[ 1 of 2 missing boaters found alive, was object of 2011 search ]
[ Timeline of mom and son's disappearance at sea ]
[ Rescue at sea turns new attention on unsolved 2013 killing ]
[ Murder, mystery and money: the accusations swirling around Nathan Carman ]
[ Court docs: N.H. gun store confirms Nathan Carman purchased .308 rifle ]