NORWICH – Today in Chenango County Court, a Norwich man will face the possibility of serving the next 50 years of his life in state prison as his story is played out before a jury this afternoon.
Jonathan “Joe” Elwood, 29 of Ashcraft Road, Norwich, was arrested for a December 2006 home invasion three months after the crime took place. Police claim that DNA evidence found at the scene led them to arrest Elwood and his alleged co-conspirator, Stephen R. Ohl, 24, of Lawrence Road, Sherburne.
Ohl confessed to his role in the crime Wednesday and has agreed to testify against Elwood this week in exchange for an 18-year prison sentence.
Monday afternoon, the defense and prosecution spent nearly six hours to select a jury of 14 (12 regular jurors and two alternates) interviewing every single person from a pool of over 60 candidates. The jury was ordered to return today at 9:30 a.m. to begin hearing testimony.
Elwood is officially charged with predatory sexual assault (Class A-II felony), first degree burglary (Class B felony), first degree rape (Class B felony), first degree robbery (Class B felony), first degree criminal sexual act (Class B felony), first degree criminal use of a firearm (Class B felony) and petit larceny.
The 58-year-old victim in the case is also expected to testify.
The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office claimed their investigation led them to believe Elwood was armed with a shotgun during the burglary that took place on State Hwy. 12B in the Town of Sherburne.
The attack happened Monday, Dec. 4, at around 11:30 p.m. when two suspects entered the home through physical force and attacked the owner. Ohl told the court last week that he had thought the home was empty. He claimed he and Elwood decided to rape the victim in order to keep her from contacting authorities. The men stole an unknown amount of cash. The victim was taken to Hamilton Hospital for her injuries and was eventually released. Ohl and Elwood were arrested March 20, following a lengthy investigation with the aid of forensic evidence.