NORWICH – The increased police presence in the Norwich area was obvious this week as several New York State troopers participated in the statewide push for seatbelt safety, while many others continued to investigate a recent homicide.
Traffic Supervisor Sgt. John Beno, of the New York State Police in Sidney, said a Buckle Up New York campaign began Monday and was unrelated to the recent Norwich homicide.
“It is complete coincidence, but I guess it’s nice to have the officers in the area if we need them, but it wasn’t planned that way,” said State Police Captain Mark A. Lester, who is leading the murder investigation.
At around 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, six state patrol vehicles set up along a 300-yard stretch state on Rt. 12 in Norwich and pulled over dozens of motorists. Beno said troopers targeted mainly commercial vehicles, but stopped any motorist not wearing a seat belt. Police issued 33 tickets in the enforcement push that was set up just south of the City of Norwich over a six-hour period, he said.
Police also continued the stops Wednesday and will continue the program through Dec. 1.
Meanwhile, police are continuing their investigation into the shooting death of William E. Lee, 61, who was found dead at 1:53 p.m. last Thursday inside his home on state Rt. 23 in the Town of Norwich.
Captain Lester said the investigation was progressing “positively” and investigators were waiting for lab results.
Lester said the case presented certain challenges because of the circumstances of the crime. He said the body had been in the home about a week before it was discovered, and that time is always a factor in an investigation.
“It becomes a who-done-it kind of investigation,” he said. “Time plays a factor because people have time to distance themselves from the incident and have time to think things through.”
Lester said the first 48 hours of the investigation were the most intense and that some investigators even stayed overnight at the Norwich City Police Station instead of going home to sleep.
“It’s a painstaking process, quite different than what you see on TV,” he said.
Lester said that Troop C’s resources, which are responsible for a seven-county area including Chenango, where being brought to bear on the homicide investigation.
“There are quite a few assigned to this and a substantial amount of resources,” he said.
Police have released no new information since Friday, when they announced they were officially conducting a homicide investigation and that Lee was shot in the head.
Despite the challenges, Lester said, “Each investigation is different, but this incident falls into the pattern of these types of case. I wouldn’t say it’s especially difficult; we’ve had far more challenging cases than this.”
Police said earlier there was no sign of forced entry at the Tanner Hill home and believe the perpetrator may have had access to the residence.
The Troopers, Channgo County Sheriff’s Office and the Norwich PD are working cooperativlty in the joint investigation and are asking anyone with information to contact the New York State Police at 561-7400. All calls will remain confidential.