Murderer of 11-year-old girl admits guilt
NORWICH – The defendant prosecutors believed was primarily responsible for causing the death of Jacelyn O’Connor pleaded guilty to murder and rape in Chenango County Court Friday morning.
He is set to be sentenced to 20 years-to-life in prison, after he accepted a plea-deal offered by prosecutors.
Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding, 34, of Norwich, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree rape. He will receive 20 years-to-life after admitting he attacked and killed the 11-year-old girl on July 30, 2017 in the Town of Norwich.
Rundstrom-Wooding's defense attorney, Scott Clippinger, said, "I've discussed this at length with Tobey, he understands it, and he agrees."
Of the two men charged with O'Conner's murder, Rundstrom-Wooding was the one facing more charges. He was initially indicted on first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree rape, and charges relating to child pornography and lying to investigators.
Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride said Rundstrom-Wooding would not have to testify against co-defendant James Brower as part of the plea agreement.
Rundstrom-Wooding's sentencing date is scheduled for August 13.
The second man charged in the case, Brower, 36, of Norwich, was indicted on second-degree murder, first-degree hindering prosecution and tampering with physical evidence, and making a false written statement. He is scheduled have a trial beginning early next year.
On July 30, 2017, police responded to a 911 call claiming Jacelyn O’Connor had gone into cardiac arrest. O’Conner was dead when police arrived, and after an investigation, two men were charged with her rape and murder.
Brower has been represented by the Chenango County Public Defender's Office throughout the legal proceedings, and in court Assistant Public Defender Zachary Wentworth argued the evidence did not show his client had actually committed any violent act against the victim, and the case should be dismissed.
District Attorney Joseph McBride disagreed the murder charge should be dismissed. He claimed Brower was aware his co-defendant had committed the murder, and that he later helped Rundstrom-Wooding alter evidence at the scene before both men gave false statements to investigators.
Chenango County Public Defender John Cameron said the evidence pointed towards Brower's co-defendant as the sole perpetrator of the crime.
“It seems to me that the evidence supported charges against [Rundstrom-Wooding],” said Cameron.
Cameron said he didn’t hear anything indicting a connection between Brower and the victim, and he added there is a lack of direct evidence linking his client to the victim's death.
Pictured: Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding and his defense attorney Scott Clippinger as they changed their plea to guilty in Chenango County Court. (Zachary Meseck Photo)
He is set to be sentenced to 20 years-to-life in prison, after he accepted a plea-deal offered by prosecutors.
Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding, 34, of Norwich, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree rape. He will receive 20 years-to-life after admitting he attacked and killed the 11-year-old girl on July 30, 2017 in the Town of Norwich.
Rundstrom-Wooding's defense attorney, Scott Clippinger, said, "I've discussed this at length with Tobey, he understands it, and he agrees."
Of the two men charged with O'Conner's murder, Rundstrom-Wooding was the one facing more charges. He was initially indicted on first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree rape, and charges relating to child pornography and lying to investigators.
Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride said Rundstrom-Wooding would not have to testify against co-defendant James Brower as part of the plea agreement.
Rundstrom-Wooding's sentencing date is scheduled for August 13.
The second man charged in the case, Brower, 36, of Norwich, was indicted on second-degree murder, first-degree hindering prosecution and tampering with physical evidence, and making a false written statement. He is scheduled have a trial beginning early next year.
On July 30, 2017, police responded to a 911 call claiming Jacelyn O’Connor had gone into cardiac arrest. O’Conner was dead when police arrived, and after an investigation, two men were charged with her rape and murder.
Brower has been represented by the Chenango County Public Defender's Office throughout the legal proceedings, and in court Assistant Public Defender Zachary Wentworth argued the evidence did not show his client had actually committed any violent act against the victim, and the case should be dismissed.
District Attorney Joseph McBride disagreed the murder charge should be dismissed. He claimed Brower was aware his co-defendant had committed the murder, and that he later helped Rundstrom-Wooding alter evidence at the scene before both men gave false statements to investigators.
Chenango County Public Defender John Cameron said the evidence pointed towards Brower's co-defendant as the sole perpetrator of the crime.
“It seems to me that the evidence supported charges against [Rundstrom-Wooding],” said Cameron.
Cameron said he didn’t hear anything indicting a connection between Brower and the victim, and he added there is a lack of direct evidence linking his client to the victim's death.
Pictured: Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding and his defense attorney Scott Clippinger as they changed their plea to guilty in Chenango County Court. (Zachary Meseck Photo)
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