NORWICH _ The prosecution in the George Ford. Jr. murder trial rested Wednesday morning and defense attorney Randel Scharf of Cooperstown immediately asked the judge to dismiss the indictment against his client.
Scharf said the prosecution had not proven intent in its case.
Presiding Judge Joseph F. Cawley of Broome County denied the request and stipulated that the defense in the case would begin at 9 a.m. Friday. The trial was adjourned until then.
Ford, 43, is accused of deliberately running down Shyanne Somers, a 12-year-old South Otselic girl, who'd come to his house late on July 7, 2007, to baby-sit.
Soon after Shyanne died, Ford was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment. Only after police learned that his truck was equipped with GPS and that its log contradicted Ford's account of driving the girl home was he charged with murder, police have said.
Chenango County Sheriff Thomas Loughren, who interviewed Ford on July 8, 2007, the day he was arrested, testified Tuesday that Ford had told his officers that he accidentally ran over the girl at about midnight but had not driven her to the hospital for hours.
Also testifying Wednesday was Stephen Jogush of the state police forensics lab in Buffalo. He said tests on Ford’s blood confirmed the presence of cocaine.
Local News -
February 11, 2009
Prosecution rests in murder trial
- Local News
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Local economic 'game plan' ready for action
Attracting, developing and promoting business and economic development in Otsego County are moving to the front burner in a ``game plan’’ to apply for state funding, three local officials said this morning.
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Upper reservoir at Blenheim-Gilboa to reopen for recreational boaters
The New York Power Authority (NYPA) will reopen the upper reservoir at its Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project to recreational boaters on Monday. The project’s lower reservoir will also open at that time but with certain restrictions.
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Drug "kingpin" arrested in Otsego County
The arrest of a major drug kingpin in Otsego County was announced today by Sheriff Richard J. Devlin Jr. and District Attorney John M. Muehl. Following a year-long investigation by a number of law enforcement agencies, Dante Darren Major, 35, of Hobart, was arrested for a number of drug felonies, Otsego deputies said.
- Motorist rolls truck, charged with drunken driving A motorist who continued driving after his truck rolled 360 degrees in Summit early Monday was charged with drunken driving, state police at Cobleskill said.
- Motorist rolls truck, charged with drunken driving A motorist who continued driving after his truck rolled 360 degrees in Summit early Monday was charged with drunken driving, state police at Cobleskill said.
- Mary Lorraine Hawkins RICHFIELD SPRINGS _ Mary Lorraine Hawkins, 85, went to be with the Lord on Monday, May 10, 2010, she was at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown.
- Area briefs: Video on natural gas drilling to be presented COPES CORNERS _ The Concerned Citizens of the Butternut Valley will sponsor a video presentation about natural gas drilling at 7 p.m. today at Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School at 693 State Highway 51.
- Area briefs: Video on natural gas drilling to be presented COPES CORNERS _ The Concerned Citizens of the Butternut Valley will sponsor a video presentation about natural gas drilling at 7 p.m. today at Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School at 693 State Highway 51.
- Evelyn E. Kinney MORRIS _ Evelyn E. Kinney, 81, of Morris, passed away Jan. 17, 2010.
- Frost may have damaged plantings Traces of a visit by Jack Frost overnight might leave severe damage to plant life in Otsego, Delaware and Chenango counties, weather officials said Monday.
- Daisy Wagner Schultz WALTON _ Daisy Meda Wagner Schultz, 65, of Walton, passed away unexpectedly Sunday evening, May 9, 2010, at home.
- Frost may have damaged plantings Traces of a visit by Jack Frost overnight might leave severe damage to plant life in Otsego, Delaware and Chenango counties, weather officials said Monday.
- Edward Luke Ryder MOUNT VISION _ Edward Luke Ryder, 71, passed away Monday, May 10, 2010, at his home.
- Police probe apparent murder-suicide WALTON _ An apparent murder-suicide shooting is being investigated by the Walton Police Department, the state police and the Delaware County Sheriff's Department, Walton Police Officer Brian Laauser said Monday. The shootings occurred at 32 Union Street at about 10 p.m. Sunday, police said.
- Police probe apparent murder-suicide WALTON _ An apparent murder-suicide shooting is being investigated by the Walton Police Department, the state police and the Delaware County Sheriff's Department, Walton Police Officer Brian Laauser said Monday. The shootings occurred at 32 Union Street at about 10 p.m. Sunday, police said.
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3 area lawyers say Kagan likely to be confirmed
Elena Kagan is likely to be confirmed as United States Supreme Court justice and seems qualified for the post, according to three area lawyers.
Kagan, the nations solicitor general and a former dean of Harvard Law School, is President Barack Obamas choice to succeed retiring Justice John Paul Stevens. - Alyce H. Roberts ONEONTA _ Alyce H. Roberts, 89, of Oneonta, passed away Sunday, May 9, 2010, at home.
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3 area lawyers say Kagan likely to be confirmed
Elena Kagan is likely to be confirmed as United States Supreme Court justice and seems qualified for the post, according to three area lawyers.
Kagan, the nations solicitor general and a former dean of Harvard Law School, is President Barack Obamas choice to succeed retiring Justice John Paul Stevens. -
Outdoor biking program starts in city
ONEONTA _ An outdoor biking program Tuesday nights has begun in Oneonta.
The group meets at the Brenner Recreational Center near Hodges Pond in Neahwa Park at 5 p.m. -
Outdoor biking program starts in city
ONEONTA _ An outdoor biking program Tuesday nights has begun in Oneonta.
The group meets at the Brenner Recreational Center near Hodges Pond in Neahwa Park at 5 p.m.
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Local economic 'game plan' ready for action
