Accused murderers plead not guilty and seek bail
NORWICH – The Norwich man accused of the rape and murder of 11-year-old Jacelyn O’Connor pleaded not guilty in Chenango County Court yesterday, along with his co-defendant and alleged accomplice in the crime.
Appearing before County Court Judge Frank Revoir, 34-year-old Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree rape, child pornography charges and lying to investigators.
His co-defendant and partner of 13-years, 36-year-old James S. Brower of Norwich, also pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, including second-degree murder, first-degree hindering prosecution, tampering with physical evidence, and making a false written statement.
Brower's attorney, Public Defender John Cameron said the two men would be processed by the court separately. “They have separate interests in the case,” he said.
In court District Attorney Joseph McBride said Brower was aware his co-defendant had committed the murder and he had tried to help Rundstrom-Wooding alter evidence at the scene before both men gave false statements to investigators.
In a previous court hearing investigators alleged that it took 45 minutes for the defendants to contact emergency services after learning of O’Connor's death, with McBride saying it indicated the two men were involved in a cover-up.
Both defendants were granted the prospect of bail Monday. Judge Revoir ordered Rundstrom-Wooding be held at the Chenango County Correctional Facility in lieu of $500,000 cash bail or $1 million bond. Brower was remanded to jail on $400,000 cash bail or $800,000 bond.
The two men were asked to give the residences they would reside at if granted bail, with the judge ordering they would have to stay at those locations 7 days a week if they were released. Revoir also place those addresses under a gag order, preventing their publication, explaining that releasing the information was a danger to defendants.
It was also noted in court that both men are long-time Chenango County residents who have resided in the area their entire adult lives.
More than a dozen officers were in court Monday as the arraignments took place, with each defendant being separately transported to and from the courthouse amid a strong security presence. Before the proceedings began some members of the public shouted strongly worded comments condemning the defendants outside the courthouse.
Both defendants have been held without bail since their early August arrests. McBride said the case would likely go to trial later in 2018.
According to investigators, Rundstrom-Wooding, murdered O’Connor while he was committing rape in the early morning hours of July 30, and that Brower was aware her murder. A grand jury indictment handed down last week stated Brower, “Did deceive police officers to protect the person or persons responsible for the class A felony of murder of Jacelyn O’Connor.”
According to New York State Police, they responded to a reported cardiac arrest on at 11:13 a.m. on Sunday, July 30, at 961 County Route 33, in the Town of Norwich. When officers arrived, they discovered the body of the victim.
Brower was charged with murder two days later, on August 1.
Then on August 4, police arrested Rundstrom-Wooding, for the same murder.
Tyler Murphy photo
Accused murderer Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding in court on Monday.
Appearing before County Court Judge Frank Revoir, 34-year-old Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree rape, child pornography charges and lying to investigators.
His co-defendant and partner of 13-years, 36-year-old James S. Brower of Norwich, also pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, including second-degree murder, first-degree hindering prosecution, tampering with physical evidence, and making a false written statement.
Brower's attorney, Public Defender John Cameron said the two men would be processed by the court separately. “They have separate interests in the case,” he said.
In court District Attorney Joseph McBride said Brower was aware his co-defendant had committed the murder and he had tried to help Rundstrom-Wooding alter evidence at the scene before both men gave false statements to investigators.
In a previous court hearing investigators alleged that it took 45 minutes for the defendants to contact emergency services after learning of O’Connor's death, with McBride saying it indicated the two men were involved in a cover-up.
Both defendants were granted the prospect of bail Monday. Judge Revoir ordered Rundstrom-Wooding be held at the Chenango County Correctional Facility in lieu of $500,000 cash bail or $1 million bond. Brower was remanded to jail on $400,000 cash bail or $800,000 bond.
The two men were asked to give the residences they would reside at if granted bail, with the judge ordering they would have to stay at those locations 7 days a week if they were released. Revoir also place those addresses under a gag order, preventing their publication, explaining that releasing the information was a danger to defendants.
It was also noted in court that both men are long-time Chenango County residents who have resided in the area their entire adult lives.
More than a dozen officers were in court Monday as the arraignments took place, with each defendant being separately transported to and from the courthouse amid a strong security presence. Before the proceedings began some members of the public shouted strongly worded comments condemning the defendants outside the courthouse.
Both defendants have been held without bail since their early August arrests. McBride said the case would likely go to trial later in 2018.
According to investigators, Rundstrom-Wooding, murdered O’Connor while he was committing rape in the early morning hours of July 30, and that Brower was aware her murder. A grand jury indictment handed down last week stated Brower, “Did deceive police officers to protect the person or persons responsible for the class A felony of murder of Jacelyn O’Connor.”
According to New York State Police, they responded to a reported cardiac arrest on at 11:13 a.m. on Sunday, July 30, at 961 County Route 33, in the Town of Norwich. When officers arrived, they discovered the body of the victim.
Brower was charged with murder two days later, on August 1.
Then on August 4, police arrested Rundstrom-Wooding, for the same murder.
Tyler Murphy photo
Accused murderer Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding in court on Monday.
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