Ford moves closer to trial in death of Otselic girl
NORWICH – The man accused of murdering a 12-year-old Otselic Valley girl appeared in court Friday in preparation of going to a jury trial.
George Ford Jr., 42, of Piscataway, N.J., was indicted for second degree murder for allegedly causing the intentional death of his babysitter, Shyanne A. Somers, 12, from South Otselic, on July 8.
The incident was originally reported to be an accident by Ford until police uncovered GPS evidence revealing, in detail, the whereabouts of the defendant’s truck on the night of the murder. The GPS contradicted nearly everything police said they were told.
While in court Friday, Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride said investigators not only know where the incident took place, but were able to retrieve the speed of the truck at the time the girl was struck.
“The GPS shows us how fast he was going when he ran her over,” said McBride.
Ford said in his original statement to police that the girl was accidentally struck while he attempted to turn his truck around. The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office had already released information claiming the GPS showed no such maneuvers taking place. McBride refused to answer questions regarding the actual speed of the vehicle at the time of the accident, saying it would be brought to the court’s attention at the appropriate time.
The defense also said during arguments that police retrieved the GPS device from Ford and then gave it back to him after they asked him to come in for questioning. The device was apparently tossed in the trash at the Sheriff’s Office and then later retrieved, although it was not made clear who put the item in the waste basket or if police were aware of its capabilities at the time of the arrest.
The defense made requests to the court ensuring they received all the evidence from the District Attorney’s Office. “Everything we have, they have. I don’t have to go out and get evidence for his defense,” said McBride.
Ford’s appointed attorney Randal Scharf said they intend to challenge a number of things at future hearings including issues surrounding his arrest, the seizure of forensic evidence and search warrants carried out at Ford’s New Jersey home.
Police said that according to the GPS, Ford’s truck never stopped at the spot where Somers was killed until 3:20 a.m., over three hours later than what Ford told investigators. Police also said Ford’s vehicle only remained at the scene of the incident for several minutes before leaving.
According to Ford’s original statement to police, the accident occurred at around midnight and he was too grief-stricken to move the body until over an hour later. He contended that the severe and graphic injuries the girl sustained traumatized him. He also told investigators he made no stops between the accident and the hospital except to turn around after accidentally driving past the hospital parking lot and getting lost.
“He had no idea that the GPS was in his truck. I placed it there because George was having an affair. He didn’t know about it until after he took the girl to the hospital,” said Ford’s wife, Cindy after the incident.
The GPS also showed the vehicle stop at an abandoned house for almost three hours on Will Warner Road. The location is isolated by forest along the dirt road, nearly half a mile from the nearest occupied residence.
“We believe she might have gotten away from him and that he was looking for her or chasing her. We are continuing to investigate,” said Chenango County Sheriff Thomas Loughren.
Police also reported that both the GPS and forensic evidence showed Ford’s truck coming down the Will Warner Road towards the victim’s home. Police allege that Ford may have pursued the girl in his truck and drove over her, up onto the bank.
Investigators then reported that Ford’s truck traveled to Georgetown, turned around, came back down to Otselic Valley, then traveled on Rt. 80 eventually ending up in Sherburne, following the incident. The vehicle then drove to Norwich right past Chenango Memorial Hospital on Rt. 12, and drove around the downtown city for several minutes before returning to the hospital.
No motive has yet been established, but investigators are still looking at the scene behind the abandoned house and waiting for further results from the sexual assault kit and other forensic evidence.
Police said Ford tested positive for traces of cocaine in his blood and that he admitted to drinking some beers and shots at a party the day of the murder. After arriving at the hospital, police also found a bag of marijuana in Ford’s truck.
Ford is currently being held at the County Correctional Facility without bail.
George Ford Jr., 42, of Piscataway, N.J., was indicted for second degree murder for allegedly causing the intentional death of his babysitter, Shyanne A. Somers, 12, from South Otselic, on July 8.
The incident was originally reported to be an accident by Ford until police uncovered GPS evidence revealing, in detail, the whereabouts of the defendant’s truck on the night of the murder. The GPS contradicted nearly everything police said they were told.
While in court Friday, Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride said investigators not only know where the incident took place, but were able to retrieve the speed of the truck at the time the girl was struck.
“The GPS shows us how fast he was going when he ran her over,” said McBride.
Ford said in his original statement to police that the girl was accidentally struck while he attempted to turn his truck around. The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office had already released information claiming the GPS showed no such maneuvers taking place. McBride refused to answer questions regarding the actual speed of the vehicle at the time of the accident, saying it would be brought to the court’s attention at the appropriate time.
The defense also said during arguments that police retrieved the GPS device from Ford and then gave it back to him after they asked him to come in for questioning. The device was apparently tossed in the trash at the Sheriff’s Office and then later retrieved, although it was not made clear who put the item in the waste basket or if police were aware of its capabilities at the time of the arrest.
The defense made requests to the court ensuring they received all the evidence from the District Attorney’s Office. “Everything we have, they have. I don’t have to go out and get evidence for his defense,” said McBride.
Ford’s appointed attorney Randal Scharf said they intend to challenge a number of things at future hearings including issues surrounding his arrest, the seizure of forensic evidence and search warrants carried out at Ford’s New Jersey home.
Police said that according to the GPS, Ford’s truck never stopped at the spot where Somers was killed until 3:20 a.m., over three hours later than what Ford told investigators. Police also said Ford’s vehicle only remained at the scene of the incident for several minutes before leaving.
According to Ford’s original statement to police, the accident occurred at around midnight and he was too grief-stricken to move the body until over an hour later. He contended that the severe and graphic injuries the girl sustained traumatized him. He also told investigators he made no stops between the accident and the hospital except to turn around after accidentally driving past the hospital parking lot and getting lost.
“He had no idea that the GPS was in his truck. I placed it there because George was having an affair. He didn’t know about it until after he took the girl to the hospital,” said Ford’s wife, Cindy after the incident.
The GPS also showed the vehicle stop at an abandoned house for almost three hours on Will Warner Road. The location is isolated by forest along the dirt road, nearly half a mile from the nearest occupied residence.
“We believe she might have gotten away from him and that he was looking for her or chasing her. We are continuing to investigate,” said Chenango County Sheriff Thomas Loughren.
Police also reported that both the GPS and forensic evidence showed Ford’s truck coming down the Will Warner Road towards the victim’s home. Police allege that Ford may have pursued the girl in his truck and drove over her, up onto the bank.
Investigators then reported that Ford’s truck traveled to Georgetown, turned around, came back down to Otselic Valley, then traveled on Rt. 80 eventually ending up in Sherburne, following the incident. The vehicle then drove to Norwich right past Chenango Memorial Hospital on Rt. 12, and drove around the downtown city for several minutes before returning to the hospital.
No motive has yet been established, but investigators are still looking at the scene behind the abandoned house and waiting for further results from the sexual assault kit and other forensic evidence.
Police said Ford tested positive for traces of cocaine in his blood and that he admitted to drinking some beers and shots at a party the day of the murder. After arriving at the hospital, police also found a bag of marijuana in Ford’s truck.
Ford is currently being held at the County Correctional Facility without bail.
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