Shenkman denied bond in arson case

A New London Superior Court judge Thursday denied Richard J. Shenkman's motion to have a bond set in his arson case.

Shenkman is accused of torching his ex-wife's Niantic beach home in March 2007.

Last summer Judge Susan B. Handy granted the state's motion to revoke Shenkman's $575,000 bail in criminal cases pending in New London Superior Court after he kidnapped the ex-wife, Nancy Tyler, and held her hostage on July 7 in South Windsor.

The state Supreme Court in August upheld Handy's decision.

Handy today denied defense attorney Hugh Keefe's request for a bond.

Keefe did not request a specific amount of bond to be set.

Shenkman is being held on $12.5 million in the kidnapping case.

Keefe also mentioned that Shenkman is claiming that he was assaulted by a former New London police officer named Edwards while at the MacDougall Walker Correctional Institution.

Former New London police officer William R. Edwards pleaded guilty and was sent to prison in October on charges he sexually assaulted a young child.

Brian Garnett, a Department of Correction spokesman, said that Shenkman made an allegation back in October that he was punched during recreation.

Garnett said an investigation was conducted and officials found "no credence" to his claim.