Nassau County DA: Convicted Killer Accused Of Plotting To Kidnap, Torture Prosecutor

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A 59-year-old man serving a prison sentence for slaying the fiancé of a woman he was infatuated with is accused of trying to hire someone to kidnap and torture the prosecutor who helped lock him up.

Chandran Nathan, who is an inmate in Shawangunk Correctional Facility in Ulster County, pleaded not guilty Tuesday on Long Island to a criminal solicitation charge.

In 1994, Nathan was convicted of shooting Shaleen Wadhwani in the doorway of the victim's family home in Manhasset. The 20-year-old medical student was engaged to a woman prosecutors said Nathan was obsessed with. Two days after the killing, the victim's fiancee jumped to her death from her Queens apartment building.

Nathan offered $10,000 to have the assistant district attorney who handled his case beaten and waterboarded, authorities said. He allegedly wanted the prosecutor to give a video statement that Nathan's confession and the confessions of other suspects were coerced.

"This case is a reminder of the difficult and dangerous jobs that law enforcement professionals do every day," Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said. "We will continue to work to ensure their safety and those who attempt to tamper with our prosecutions will be held accountable."

Nathan was has been serving a 37 1/2-year prison term, but he wanted out, 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reported.

"He's exhausted all of his appeals and I guess it was an act of frustration," defense attorney Stephen Murphy said.

Nathan's attorney said his client should undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Nathan is due back in court on Dec. 15. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.

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