Santhosh Paul, 32, a resident of a New York City suburb-North
Bellmore was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment after being found
guilty for plotting to have his wife murdered with the help of
an undercover agent.
Santhosh tried to hire a hit man to kill his wife by stabbing
her through the heart by Christmas so that he could collect $1
million on her life insurance policy just before Christmas, 2006
The prosecutors said:
- Santhosh Paul wanted his wife dead "before the holidays''
and promised the undercover detective $200,000.
- He paid a $2,700 deposit, provided a copy of his wife's $1
million life insurance policy as proof and agreed to pay after
her killing.
- He also piveded to the undercover detective a photo of his
wife, her license plate numbers, a business card, her address
and her schedule
- He said he didn't want to be stuck with a vegetable. He also
told the man to get it done before Christmas so it wouldn't
ruin the holidays
- On April 30, 2007, he pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy
and criminal solicitation in exchange for a commitment from
a Nassau County judge that he will serve just 5-15 years in
prison
When Santhosh Paul in handcuffs left the courtroom, told reporters,
" Please convey my message to my wife that I love her very
much and I want to put this behind our family and move on."
Santhosh Paul and his wife Tina Paul, 30, had a arranged marriage
and have four years son. Tina Paul, a Cablevision accountant refused
to speak to prosecutors or help them with their investigation.
Tina lovingly stood by Santosh throughout the trial, the New York
Post reported.
Tina Paul always believes that her husband is innocent and should
be allowed to return to their home.
