NORWICH – More than a decade after the tragic death of a mother of three from New Berlin, her husband admitted to killing her in Chenango County Court Thursday afternoon.

Accused murderer Ganesh R. Ramsaran pleaded guilty to the 2012 slaying of his wife, Jennifer, and accepted a sentence of 22 years in prison for a reduced charge of first degree manslaughter. He also waived his right to appeal.

He was previously convicted by a jury on Sept. 23, 2014, for second degree murder, and had been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
But in October of 2022, Ramsaran was granted a retrial over the 2014 murder conviction after it was determined his previous defense attorney was not adequate and mislead court officials and the defendant during trial.
Special Prosecutor from Broome County Ben Bergman, said the admission by Ramsaran Thursday afternoon was the truth of the case finally coming out.

“I have a hesitancy to this disposition. I do recognize the effect time has had on the case,” he said, just before Ramsaran's guilty plea.

He also said he consulted with the family for approval before making the plea deal.

“It's a day for the family and for local justice, this defendant made continual denials,” said Bergman.

Chenango County Sheriff investigators said Ramsaran killed Jennifer on the morning of Dec. 11, 2012 because he was having an affair and she wanted a divorce. Investigators also said he wanted to benefit by collecting insurance money.

After killing Jennifer police said Ramsaran covered up the crime and then acted like it was a case of a missing person. Police were told by her husband that she was traveling to Syracuse to do shopping and never returned.

The discovery of the victim's body came several months later along a rural road in a wooded area and much of the case rested on forensic evidence.

Chenango County Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr. said police believe a dispute occurred between the couple after Jennifer contacted a divorce lawyer.
The sheriff said a cause of death was difficult to officially determine in the case, due to the passage of time before her body was located, but investigators had their suspicions.
“We believe he strangled her,” said Cutting.
Attorneys for the defense declined to comment on the case.
While accepting a guilty plea to first degree manslaughter in court, Chenango County Court Judge Frank Revoir noted a difference between murder and manslaughter.
“Intent: murder is intent to cause death. Manslaughter is an intent to cause serious harm, resulting in death,” said Revoir.
“It was a challenging case, thousands and thousand of work hours to get to this point today,” said Cutting. “Thank you to the investigators, they did a great job. All the police, the district attorneys, everyone. It was a great effort by many.”

The sheriff said despite the appeal the prosecution had a very strong case. Ramsaran's new murder trial was set to take place last month but was delayed.

“I think he won an appeal but once he and his attorneys saw the overwhelming case being presented, it was in their best interest to take a plea,” said Cutting. “The good thing about this is for the family in generating final closure.”

Ramsaran will appear in court on December 18 for sentencing.