NORWICH – At a press conference held at the Chenango County Correctional Facility Tuesday, reporters from the immediate Central New York area heard statements from Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting, District Attorney Joseph McBride and Lt. Richard Cobb of the Sheriff’s Office, in which it was revealed accused murderer William Danielson was found by authorities only after crashing his pickup the morning he allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend.
According to Sheriff Cutting, 39-year-old Lucinda Knoll was murdered at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, 48-year-old William Danielson of Oxford.
With combined efforts of the City of Norwich Police Department K-9 unit and the New York State Police, officials were able to determine that Danielson had parked his pickup truck behind the Town of Norwich highway garage, located at 5589 County Highway 32, approximately one quarter-mile from Knoll’s 110 Bourbon Street home.
Cutting indicated that Danielson walked to the scene on foot and waited for Knoll as she was leaving for work Friday morning. After placing Danielson and Knoll's common 7-year-old child in the car, Danielson came out of hiding along the side of the home and attacked Knoll in her driveway.
Cutting went on to say that at that time, Danielson fled the scene. He returned to his pickup truck and proceeded to leave the Town of Norwich.
Meanwhile, the child's screams for help were heard by neighbor Mitchell J. O'Neil, 47, of Norwich, who immediately sprang into action by alerting authorities and attempting to care for the critically injured Knoll until first responders could arrive on scene.
A separate call was received by the Chenango County 911 Emergency Dispatch Center less than 30 minutes after O’Neil’s call, with reports of a single vehicle MVA in the Town of Preston. It was reported to dispatchers that a pickup truck had struck a telephone pole at the intersection of Preston Center Road and County Rd. 4, breaking it in two. When Deputies arrived to the scene of that incident, the pickup had been abandoned and no driver could be found. A resulting DMV search of the vehicle’s registration revealed that it belonged to Danielson.
Investigators concluded that Danielson fled the scene of the accident to his home, less than a mile away. Within minutes, police investigating the MVA found Danielson at his home.
While being interviewed by deputies, officers noted a number of inconsistencies and Danielson’s erratic behavior. At this time, the connection was made between the two ongoing investigations and Danielson was taken into custody by deputies.
McBride and Cutting noted that Danielson had no pertinent criminal history that would be indicative of past domestic violence.
Amid the speculation of there being a weapon used in the assault, Sheriff Cutting and Lt. Cobb declined to substantiate the claim.
“The victim died from injuries sustained after she was struck several times in the head,” said Cutting.
Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride said, “Because of the total cooperation for the community, we were able to make the necessary connections, act efficiently and quickly in resolving this matter. We would like to assure the public at large that this was a lone act and that they are safe ... We are confident that we have the sole perpetrator in custody at this time.”
McBride went on to say that grand jury proceedings will be initiated within the next month. While Danielson was initially scheduled to appear later this week, his bench-assigned attorney, Scott Clippinger of Smyrna, waived Thursday’s hearing.
“At this time, the family and three children of the victim are going through unimaginable pain, and we would request that they are not approached by the media,” added McBride.
Members from the City of Norwich Police Department K-9 unit, New York State Police Troop C and Chenango County Sheriff's Office assisted with the investigation.
Anyone with further information regarding the case is asked to contact the Chenango County Sheriff's office at 337-1921 or 337-1663.