By Ivan Pereira
Dr. Mazoltuv Borukhova, the Forest Hills woman who hired her uncle to shoot her estranged husband to death in front of their daughter, was admitted to Elmhurst Hospital Wednesday, a day after she was convicted of the murder, the city Correction Department said.
Borukhova, 35, an internist, was transported from Rikers Island to the hospital’s prison ward for undisclosed reasons, according to Correction Department Web site. She and her uncle, Mikhail Mallayev, 51, were found guilty Tuesday of conspiracy and first-degree murder charges in the Oct. 28, 2007 slaying of Dr. Daniel Malakov.
Stephen Scaring, Borukhova’s criminal attorney, was not available for comment Thursday morning. Elmhurst Hospital’s Prison Ward is used to house female inmates who require “acute psychiatric care,” the DOC said on its Web site.
Malakov, 34, who like his wife was a Bukharian Jewish Uzbek immigrant, was killed outside the Annadale Playground in Forest Hills as he was dropping off his daughter Michelle to visit Borukhova. The father had gained custody of the girl days before his death following a long and bitter custody dispute with Borukhova and the internist wanted revenge, according to prosecutors.
Michelle, 6, is currently living with her paternal uncle, Gavriel, who is acting as a foster parent. Queens Family Court may make a move to terminate Borukhova’s parental rights, which could allow Gavriel Malakov and his wife to formally adopt Michelle, David Schnall, Michelle’s law guardian, said.
Borukhova has lost considerable weight since she was arrested and remanded in February 2008. Before the seven-week criminal trial began in January, her attorney asked a Queens Supreme Court judge to grant her bail due to her deteriorating health but the request was denied.
She and Mallayev face up to life in prison without parole when they are scheduled to be sentenced April 21.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
