NORWICH — Convicted murderer Ganesh R. Ramsaran was sentenced to an indetermine sentence of 25 years to life in prison this morning in Chenango County Court.
After a trial spanning approximately three weeks and jury deliberations lasting just more than three hours, Ramsaran was found guilty of murdering his wife on Sept. 23, 2014.
Based upon evidence — which was said throughout the trial to be largely circumstantial — the jury was convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Ramsaran had killed Jennifer Ramsaran in their home on Dec. 11, 2012.
Prior to any statements regarding sentencing today, Chenango County Court Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr. asked Ramsaran’s defense counsel, Giberto Garcia, if there were any discrepancies in the pre-sentencing report that was completed by the Chenango County Probation Department.
Garcia said he has not spoken to his client – prior to today – since his arrest on another matter, and he found the lack of communication to be a bit unusual.
Ramsaran addressed the court and said the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office denied him access to call his attorney. McBride said he checked with the Corrections Sgt. and he said there were no calls during his shift.
“When my client tells me he was not allowed to call me, that presents a problem,” said Garcia. Although he said they were ultimately prepared to continue with the sentencing.
“Judge, the victim’s family is here in court today, but they do not wish to speak today,” said McBride to the court when Revoir offered the victim’s family an opportunity to address the court.
“He (Ramsaran) stands convicted of killing his wife Jennifer,” said McBride. “I’ve never seen a case where a man does this for purely selfish reasons. Jennifer’s life was taken on Dec. 11, 2012. Not only was it unjust to Jennifer, but also to her family, her children, and the community.”
Ramsaran reported his wife missing the night of Dec 11, 2012, and said she left to shop in Syracuse but hadn’t returned. According to Ramsaran, it was unusual for Jennifer to not be in contact with him throughout the day, either via phone or text.
During the trial —and even before Ramsaran was charged with murder in the second degree— it was made known that Ramsaran was having an affair with the victim’s best friend, Eileen Sayles.
Lead Detective in the investigation, Lieutenant Richard Cobb had testified in court when asked if all of Jennifer’s friends were questioned, said that Sayles was Jennifer’s only friend.
Sayles was considered a material witness for the prosecution. She did admit that initially she did not want to have to testify.
While where was no cause of death determined and no direct evidence, Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride told the jury during the trial there was no one else in the world that had motive to kill Jennifer Ramsaran. McBride additionally said during the trial that the case was based on deception, sex, money, obsession and ultimately the unfortunate death of Jennifer Ramsaran.
Unlike many defendants in murder trials, Ramsaran took the stand in his own defense.
“When you look at all the facts and motivations for killing his wife, I’d ask the court to give justice for Jennifer and impose the maximum sentence of 25 years to life in the New York State Department of Corrections,” said McBride to the court today.
Additionally, Garcia and Ramsaran were given the opportunity to address the court before the sentence was handed down.
“Your honor, I respect the jury’s verdict. All I can say is that as an advocate for my client, I believe his innocence,” said Garcia. “I know the ins and outs, and what the jury didn’t hear. In essence, there was no defense. Our position is that there was no evidence.”
Garcia added that he knows Ramsaran as a different man, not a convicted felon. “I’ve learned a lot about Jennifer from the enormous amount of time spent with my client. At the end of the day, there are facts: Jennifer was a great person, and a great mom. The children do not deserve what is happening to them. They are the greatest victims moving forward, along with her family. Her parents raised a great woman, wife and mom. I have been extremely depressed the last two months and I didn’t think I would be.”
“I don’t know what happened that morning,” said Garcia. “None of us do. The jury’s verdict we must respect. There has got to be something in our hearts for this father and those children to mend that relationship.”
Garcia added that Revoir and McBride have been nothing but gentlemen throughout the proceedings.
Ramsaran was given his chance to speak before Revoir handed down his sentence. He first spoke of “injustices” taking place at the CCCF, where he said inmates were being OC sprayed (pepper sprayed) for no reason. He additionally stated to the court that some inmates are denied pens and paper to write to their attorneys.
McBride stood and asked the court to remind Ramsaran that his statements should only regard sentencing, not matters that took place at the jail.
“Right off the bat,” said Ramsaran, “Where’s the transcript from (Rob Houston’s) phone? And all the people from Plank Road Manor that were supposed to testify but didn’t – almost everyone stated the van wasn’t there until Thursday or Friday. The photo McBride presented to the jury? That was a photo of the mattress we’ve had since 2003 and it was menstrual blood on the mattress.”
Continued Ramsaran, “No other blood of my wife’s was found throughout the house. Not only that, Jennifer weighed approximately 190 pounds and I have been told a dead body weighs double.”
Ramsaran was interrupted by the court and was reminded the proceedings today were strictly for sentencing for the murder charge.
“Sentence me to whatever you want,” said Ramsaran. “The only thing I’m guilty of is having an affair, and you know about that.”
Ramsaran was silenced first by McBride, then by Revoir, and his statement was ended.
Revoir then made a statement and handed down his sentence.
“Jennifer will never again rise with the sun,” Revoir said. “Any moments of joy are beyond Jennifer’s having.”
“Our state will punish those who kill,” said Revoir. Revoir explained that he looked at the pre-sentencing report, the statements from today, and the trial itself in determining Ramsaran’s sentence.
“How absolutely disgusting,” said Revoir. “Words cannot describe the visual image of you pushing her out of the family van down an embankment. You had no sadness, no regrets, and no remorse”
Revoir said Ramsaran gave the illusion of a distraught husband.
While Revoir was speaking, under Ramsaran’s breath he said, “Great acting job.”
Revoir continued, “You chose to testify. I can only describe your testimony as lies.”
“You should win an academy award for your ability to cry,” said Revoir.
“So without sadness, without regret, and without remorse, the court sentences you to an indeterminate sentence of 25 to life in the NYS Dept. of Corrections,” said Revoir.
McBride said arrangements would be made for Ramsaran to be picked up and transferred today.
Since the guilty verdict was handed down by the jury, Ramsaran has been arrested and was later indicted on Nov. 19, 2014 for the charge of bribery in the second degree, a class C felony.
It is alleged that on or about Nov. 4, 2014 — while incarcerated at the Chenango County Correctional Facility — Ramsaran did offer a Chenango County Corrections Officer $100,000 to aid in his escape from the jail.
According to McBride, Ramsaran could be facing 15 years in the New York State Department of Corrections, and said that the years for the bribery charge — if convicted — could run consecutive to the 25-to-life sentence handed down by the Chenango County Court for his second degree murder charge.
“See you at appeal in two years,” said Ramsaran to Revoir before being escorted out of the courtroom.