LITTLE ROCK — Facing the possibility of owing more than $1 million in restitution to his victim, the Pope County doctor convicted of masterminding the bombing that maimed the chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board is not challenging his wife’s divorce demand.
But Randeep Singh Mann disputes that he should have to pay her spousal support.
The 52-year-old Mann admits his wife of 27 years is entitled to a divorce in a twopage response filed a week after Sangeeta “Sue” Mannfiled for divorce in Pulaski County Circuit Court. Randeep Mann began serving a life sentence last month after he was convicted of arranging the February 2009 explosion that scarred and partially blinded State Medical Board Chairman Trent Pierce.
Randeep Mann was also fined $100,000. But the restitution he owes Pierce, who spent months recovering from the blast, has yet to be determined by the court. A pre-sentencing report recommended $1.7 million in restitution.
Mann was convicted of arranging the bombing, but the person who planted the bomb remains at large.
Sue Mann, 49, was never accused of participating in the bombing, but was convicted jointly with her husband of attempting to obstruct the investigations and ordered imprisoned for a year and fined $50,000. She is free while their cases are being appealed.
To justify her claim their marriage should be ended, Sue Mann cited a provision under Arkansas Code 9-12-301 that allows divorce if the couple have not lived together in 18 months. Sue Mann reports their separation began March 4, 2009, the date of her husband’s arrest. He’s been in custody ever since. Sue Mann was not arrested and charged for another five months and spent about three days jailed before being released.
In his response, Randeep Mann admits his wife’s reasons for a divorce are legitimate, and agrees that the couple should equitably split up their assets and debts. But he disputes, without elaboration, that Sue Mann is owed support. Still pending before the divorce court are the submissions of statements by each of the Manns detailing their financial means.
Randeep Mann had a successful practice specializing in pain remediation. He ran afoul of the board over his prescription practices. Prosecutors argued that the bombing was retribution against Pierce for seeking to have Mann’s medical license revoked. Mann was also a licensed federal firearms dealer.
Arkansas, Pages 9 on 04/08/2011