No Take-Back For Murderous Podiatrist: Judge

A Rockland County judge has refused an appeal from notorious podiatrist Ira Bernstein. The former foot doctor wanted his guilty plea set aside so that he could have a trial in a scandalous murder conspiracy, the subject of Dateline NBC episode "The Target."

Bernstein and his lover Kelly Myzner Grideluk were accused in 2016 of elaborate plots to kill Bernstein's wife Susan and to beat up two health insurance investigators to prevent them from finding fraud at his office. They both pleaded guilty in 2017.

Bernstein admitted at the time that the couple offered money to Markensy Louissaint to kill his wife in a car crash. Prosecutors said he haggled enough get Louissaint down to $100,000 from $200,000.

Bernstein said in January he was pressured into pleading guilty by Grideluk, who didn't want to lose her plea deal. He says he never wanted to kill his wife and that the whole plan was Grideluk's. She said she wanted to stop the hit but was pressured by Louissaint to keep the conspiracy going.

It was a parting of the ways for the lovers, who kissed and hugged before they were sentenced in 2017, according to The Journal News. Bernstein, 43, was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison. Gribulek, 36, received a sentence of four to 12 years.

Judge David Zuckerman pointed out in his decision released April 20 that Bernstein had sworn during the plea proceedings that he had not been coerced.

"He was fully aware of the arguably exculpatory information long before he pled guilty," the judge wrote.

PHOTO/ Ramapo Police

SEE ALSO:

• Police Allege Podiatrist, Girlfriend Planned to Kill Wife
• Podiatrist Wants Take-Back On Guilty Plea
  

PHOTO: Ira Bernstein/ Ramapo Police