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It was the second case of the morning before Hartford Superior Court Judge David Gold.
Richard Shenkman was disheveled, unshaven and seemed confused. His eyes rolled back into his head.
He looked very different than any other photograph on file.
Shenkman stumbled on his way to meet his attorney. There were manacles on his arms and legs.
Shenkman's eyes scanned the courtroom, looking for someone. They focused when he saw his ex-wife's friends and family.
Ex-wife Nancy Tyler was not there-- a week after police say Shenkman kidnapped her, brought her to their South Windsor home, handcuffed her to the wall, put a gun against her head, and then set the home on fire.
Tyler escaped, and the home they once shared is no longer.
There are some critics who think his appearance is just for show.
When asked, Hugh Keefe hinted Shenkman's mental health might play a role in his defense.
If Shenkman cannot help in his own defense, it's likely Keefe will file a motion for a competency hearing.
Huge Keefe has represented Shenkman since he was accused of burning down another home in 2007.
"He's appeared at New London Superior Court on a regular basis," Keefe says, "and he's never been like this."
Keefe's referring to his client's mental and physical state.
He pointed out Shenkman hasn't taken his medication in days. Medication including adderoll-- frequently prescribed for a-d-h-d and hard to treat depression, as well as anti depressents zoloft and abilify.
Keefe asked the court to order a medical examination.
Prosecutors asked that Shenkman have no contact with his ex-wife as part of the bond-- still set at ten million for the Hartford charges.
There is another $2.5 million bond set for South Windsor.
Keefe did not enter a plea for his client, saying he needed more time to read the charges.
Shenkman is due back in court on July 22.
Richard Shenkman was disheveled, unshaven and seemed confused. His eyes rolled back into his head.
He looked very different than any other photograph on file.
Shenkman stumbled on his way to meet his attorney. There were manacles on his arms and legs.
Shenkman's eyes scanned the courtroom, looking for someone. They focused when he saw his ex-wife's friends and family.
Ex-wife Nancy Tyler was not there-- a week after police say Shenkman kidnapped her, brought her to their South Windsor home, handcuffed her to the wall, put a gun against her head, and then set the home on fire.
Tyler escaped, and the home they once shared is no longer.
There are some critics who think his appearance is just for show.
When asked, Hugh Keefe hinted Shenkman's mental health might play a role in his defense.
If Shenkman cannot help in his own defense, it's likely Keefe will file a motion for a competency hearing.
Huge Keefe has represented Shenkman since he was accused of burning down another home in 2007.
"He's appeared at New London Superior Court on a regular basis," Keefe says, "and he's never been like this."
Keefe's referring to his client's mental and physical state.
He pointed out Shenkman hasn't taken his medication in days. Medication including adderoll-- frequently prescribed for a-d-h-d and hard to treat depression, as well as anti depressents zoloft and abilify.
Keefe asked the court to order a medical examination.
Prosecutors asked that Shenkman have no contact with his ex-wife as part of the bond-- still set at ten million for the Hartford charges.
There is another $2.5 million bond set for South Windsor.
Keefe did not enter a plea for his client, saying he needed more time to read the charges.
Shenkman is due back in court on July 22.
