Nathan Carman, boat insurers go to trial Tuesday in Connecticut

Aug. 12--A federal judge has rejected the inclusion of alleged evidence relating to the killing of Nathan Carman's grandfather as Carman and insurance companies go to trial this week over a $85,000 claim on a sunken boat.

National Liability & Fire Insurance Co. and the Boat Owners Association of the United States will argue they don't owe Carman a claim over the 31-foot boat, which sank in September 2016, because "the loss of his boat was caused by incomplete, improper, and faulty repairs" made by Carman the day before the boat sank near Rhode Island, according to court filings.

Carman's mother, Linda Carman, who went on the fishing trip with Nathan on Sept. 17, 2016, was never seen again after the sinking and is presumed dead.

Nathan Carman is the sole heir of Linda Carman, the fourth daughter of John Chakalos. She was owed a share of Chakalos' estate, after Chakalos was killed in 2013.

A New Hampshire probate judge in May dismissed a "slayer petition" by sisters Valerie Santilli, Elaine Chakalos and Charlene Gallagher who tried to block Nathan Carman from getting his mother's share of Chakalos' multimillion-dollar estate.

The sisters sought to have Nathan Carman declared Chakalos' murderer, alleging in court filings he fatally shot the 87-year-old real estate tycoon in his Windsor, Conn., home in December 2013 "out of malice and greed." Nathan Carman's family also believes he was responsible for Linda Carman's death.

New Hampshire Judge David King tossed the lawsuit, ruling that Chakalos lived in Connecticut, even though he had a New Hampshire driver's license and was registered to vote there.

The insurance companies allege Carman made "unsatisfactory" repairs to the boat before its final trip, according to investigators' opinions, and allege Nathan Carman neither radioed for help nor activated an emergency signal when the boat sank.

U.S. District Court Judge John McConnell wrote in an order Friday that because the trial will be split, and the court will not try any issues involving counts alleging intentional acts by Nathan Carman, "there is no need for introduction of any evidence at this time about the death of his grandfather, or questions whether Mr. Carman intentionally caused the death of his mother."

Nathan Carman has denied any role in his grandfather's 2013 death or in his mother's disappearance.

McConnell said he will limit each side in the trial beginning Tuesday in Providence to 15 hours of combined direct examination, cross-examination, objections and opening and closing arguments, and the court will use a chess clock to time attorneys.

Herald wire services contributed to this report.

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