Author: Nathan Carman's Inheritance Case Had Weaknesses

Nathan Carman, the man accused of killing his mother and grandfather in a bid to inherit their wealth, may have had a better chance of being acquitted than many realized. That's according to true crime writer Casey Sherman, who has closely followed the case. Sherman argues that the prosecution faced a difficult task in proving Carman's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The case, often described as a modern-day Shakespearean tragedy due to the family's wealth and dramatic circumstances, hinged largely on circumstantial evidence.

"The prosecution's case was built on a lot of assumptions and circumstantial evidence," Sherman explained. "While the story was compelling, proving intent and a direct link to the deaths was a challenge." He pointed to the lack of a definitive murder weapon and the difficulties in reconstructing the events at sea as major obstacles for the prosecution. Furthermore, Sherman believes the defense could have successfully argued that Carman's actions, while suspicious, did not definitively prove he committed murder. The lack of concrete evidence, combined with the complexities of maritime law and insurance fraud, created a window of opportunity for Carman to potentially walk free. Ultimately, Carman died by suicide in jail before the trial began.