NORWICH – Jury selection begins this morning at the Chenango County Courthouse for the trial of Ganesh R. Ramsaran, who is facing the charge of murder in the second degree — a class A-1 felony — for allegedly killing his wife, Jennifer, in December, 2012.
Jennifer Ramsaran was last seen by her husband the morning of Dec. 11, 2012, and was said to be en route to Destiny USA in Syracuse on a Christmas shopping trip. Her husband reported her missing to authorities later that evening.
Jennifer Ramasaran’s cell phone was found on Dec. 12, 2012 in the area of State Route 23 and Moon Hill Road in the Town of Plymouth, while her 2006 Chrysler Town and Country minivan was discovered four days later at Plank Road Manor, Plymouth Street, in the City of Norwich.
With Jennifer Ramsaran’s body still undiscovered, a vigil was held in February of 2013 to spread awareness of Jennifer’s disappearance. Ganesh “Remy” Ramsaran addressed those in attendance that evening. “I’m so thankful and so appreciative of friends and for the community for their support. I know the people that know us and love us are here for us,” he said.
Said Ramsaran later at the vigil, “Law enforcement has been fantastic. I know that police are doing everything they can ... I leave everything in their hands to find Jen.”
A body was discovered on Feb. 26, 2013, nearly two and a half months following Jennifer’s disappearance. The body was discovered unclothed, down an embankment off of Center Road in Pharsalia. It was later identified as Jennifer Ramsaran.
Months later on the morning of May 17, 2013, Ganesh Ramsaran willingly went to the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for questioning. This is when he was informed by police that they had questions about some discrepancies in the case, and he was subsequently placed under arrest.
Ramsaran was first arraigned by Chenango County Court Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr., who was acting as the local court at the time. Bail was set at $150,000, which was posted by Ramsaran — who had been employed by IBM — six days following his arrest.
Once he was indicted by a Chenango County Grand Jury, Ramsaran had to appear in County Court for a felony arraignment in front of Judge Revoir. Following this arraignment, Ramsaran was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $500,000 cash bail or $1,000,000 in property bonds. He remains incarcerated pending trial.
The prosecution, led by Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride, has said throughout the process that the people are ready to proceed.
Ramsaran initially retained the defense counsel of James Chamberlain and F. Stanton Ackerman, but later removed the two as counsel. He is now being represented by Gilberto Garcia and Mary Ann Kricko both of Hackensack, N.J.
In an interview with a former Evening Sun Staff writer in January of 2013, when Jennifer was still missing, Ramsaran said that the local officials had been amazing in all regards. He said he made available to authorities all user IDs and passwords for the family’s online accounts, as well as access to their computers. He also admitted to taking a lie detector test, as well, something he said he believed was routine in a missing persons case.
As published by The Evening Sun on Jan. 30, 2013: “They have to do what they have to do [and] I have nothing but trust and support for them,” Ramsaran said. “They didn’t tell me the results, but I didn’t harm my wife. I have nothing to hide and everything I’ve told them they’ve been able to verify. They are professionals, they are trained, and that’s why I respect them.”
In a March 2014 court appearance, Ramsaran said on the record, “What’s utterly upsetting is the District Attorney says they’re ready to proceed.” He added that he has not received certain discovery materials — to which the prosecution took exception to. “It’s an absolute travesty. It is ridiculous. It’s been almost a year.”
According to court documents, the prosecution alleges Ramsaran killed his wife in their Sheff Road home, and he then “thereafter covered up the crime at the home and dumped the victim’s body on a road in the Town of Pharsalia.” Prosecution additionally stated it is believed Ramsaran acted as principal, and not in concert with another.
The Onondaga County Medical Examiner, in his testimony to the grand jury, said because of the state of the body, no cause of death could be determined. Court documents read, “… The medical examiner testified that he was unable to identify the manner, mode or means used to perpetrate this alleged homicide.”
Documents also read, “Circumstantial evidence was presented linking the defendant to the homicide.”
Various motions were made by the defense and were denied by the court, including bringing in a special prosecutor, and petitioning for a change of venue.
In July 2014, Eileen Sayles was named to serve as a material witness in the case. Sayles agreed to the terms presented by the court and said she would be available throughout the proceedings.
Pre-trail hearings were held in the month of July but were closed to the public and the media. Jury selection is expected to take the remainder of the week. Following the selection of a jury, opening statements will begin.