Man Charged with Hiring Someone to Kill His Wife Faces Judge

A Chelmsford man tried to hire someone to kill his wife earlier this year was before a judge Thursday who is considering his release from jail.

Andrew Gordon, 51, of Chelmsford, was indicted by a Middlesex County Grand Jury in October on more than 30 charges in connection with a series of alleged actions that ended with him trying to hire someone to injure his wife.

Gordon went before a Middlesex Superior Court judge this week for a dangerousness hearing that lasted two days, and according to the Lowell Sun, the judge is considering whether or not to release Gordon from jail. The judge is expected to make her decision next week.

Gordon was indicted in October on charges of intimidation of a witness, soliciting a felony (two counts), attempted assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in violation of a restraining order, violating a restraining order (three counts), stalking in violation of a restraining order, criminal harassment, attempted malicious destruction of property under $250, wanton destruction of property under $250 (14 counts) and attempted wanton destruction of property under $250 (five counts).

Authorities allege Gordon was responsible for several acts of vandalism during July and August of this year to his wife’s car and to vehicles owned by her neighbors after he learned that she intended to seek a divorce. It is alleged the defendant deflated vehicle tires, placed nails under several vehicle tires and caused other damage to his wife’s car and to nearby vehicles.

Authorities also allege Gordon watched the woman’s apartment complex from nearby woods with a ski mask and binoculars.

Chelmsford Police arrested the defendant on September 19 after authorities alleged that Gordon attempted to pay $20,000 for an attack on his wife. The defendant met with an undercover Massachusetts State Police trooper posing as a hit man. Gordon’s request initially called for her murder, authorities said, but in subsequent discussions the defendant is alleged to have asked the man to beat her so she could not attend a court hearing.

A pre-trial conference has been scheduled for Dec. 17.