Scientist on Trial in Vermont Murder for Hire Case Enters Fifth Week

The trial of a California scientist, who is charged with ordering the successful execution of a Vermont resident by a hit man seven years ago, begins its fifth week of testimony in U.S. District Court in Burlington on Monday. Serhat D. Gumrukcu, 42, of Los Angeles, who is charged as the mastermind of the plan, has pleaded not guilty to a three-count federal indictment. It is based in part on a multi-million dollar fraud case that sparked a cross-country trip by a hitman in January 2018 to kill an investor who was planning to become a whistleblower about the international investment scam. It remains unclear whether Gumrukcu will take the witness stand at his trial, which is expected to wrap up this week. When the defense is done, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be given a chance to offer rebuttal witnesses.