Accused Killer Wants A Word With The Judge

Dr. Lishan Wang, who is accused of gunning down Dr. Vanjinder Toor outside his Branford condominim last April, appeared in New Haven Superior Court today, seeking to address the court about matters of concern to him. But the judge said he wanted the Mandarin interpreter Dr, Wang had requested in court before he would go on the record.

Dr. Wang, 44, looking remarkably thinner than when he was arrested, appeared in a brown jump suit, his hands handcuffed behind his back. He is charged with killing Dr. Toor, who had an appointment at the Yale Medical School. It is believed the murder was the result of bad blood from a previous work relationship.

He has not yet entered a plea. 

Dr. Wang appeared twice in court today. He arrived at 10 a.m. but the case was held over to wait for the arrival of a Mandarin interpreter.

At 2:30 p.m., Judge Roland D. Fasano announced that the interpreter was in Massachusetts and unable to get to court. ​“We were not able to get another interpreter,” the judge said, instructing court personnel to make sure a Mandarin interpreter is in court on every occasion Dr. Wang is. His next court date is scheduled for August 17.

At that point, Senior Assistant Public Defender Scott M. Jones said to the judge: ​“Mr. Wang would like to address the court about some other matters,” presumably matters that have arisen since his incarceration.

But the judge was leery about going forward without the interpreter. ​“I don’t want to go more on the record until there is an interpreter,” he said. 

Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Gene R. Calistro, Jr. told the judge that fifty percent of the discovery materials needed by both sides had arrived. The personnel records of the relationship between Dr. Toor and Dr. Wang when both worked together at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, in Brooklyn, New York had arrived, he said.

The judge said he will review them and then will release them to Jones. Both sides are still waiting for the state police report, which has still not been filed. 

The public hearing lasted less than five minutes. Judge Fasano is believed to have met with attorneys about the case in his chambers. In a subsequent telephone interview, Calistro said he could not comment on Wang’s concerns. Asked if they dealt with prison, family or plea conditions, he would not comment.

According to a police report, Dr. Wang, who is accused of stalking Dr.Toor, placed himself at the scene of the crime and told police he spoke to the victim minutes before the shooting..

Jones did not return calls seeking comment.

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