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Chelmsford husband accused of plot to kill wife

But ‘hit man’ was state trooper

A Chelmsford man is facing charges that he attempted to hire a hit man to kill his wife.

Andrew Gordon, 51, was arrested Friday.

He allegedly tried to pay $20,000 to an undercover state trooper posing as a hit man to kill his wife in August, and in later discussions he allegedly asked the trooper to beat her so she could not attend a court hearing, said a statement from Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan and Chelmsford’s deputy police chief, James Spinney.

In June, Gordon learned that his wife was planning to divorce him, the authorities said.

After learning of the divorce plan, Gordon allegedly vandalized his wife’s car and her neighbors’ cars by deflating or damaging tires and inflicting other damage, police said. Gordon also allegedly watched his wife’s apartment complex from nearby woods, wearing a ski mask and using binoculars.

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“This defendant’s alleged actions escalated quickly from property damage to potentially severe violence,” Ryan said. “These alleged actions affected the safety and property of several people, including total strangers.”

The arrest was the culmination of an investigation by state, Chelmsford, and Tyngsborough police.

Gordon was arraigned in Lowell District Court Monday, where an automatic plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf.

He faces charges of soliciting a felony, attempted assault and battery, intimidation of a witness, and violating a restraining order.

He is being held without bail.

A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Oct. 21.


Kiera Blessing can be reached at kiera.blessing@globe.com.