Ford moves closer to trial in death of Otselic girl

NORWICH – The man accused of murdering a 12-year-old Otselic Valley girl appeared in court Friday in preparation of going to a jury trial.

George Ford Jr., 42, of Piscataway, N.J., was indicted for second degree murder for allegedly causing the intentional death of his babysitter, Shyanne A. Somers, 12, from South Otselic, on July 8.

The incident was originally reported to be an accident by Ford until police uncovered GPS evidence revealing, in detail, the whereabouts of the defendant’s truck on the night of the murder. The GPS contradicted nearly everything police said they were told.

While in court Friday, Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride said investigators not only know where the incident took place, but were able to retrieve the speed of the truck at the time the girl was struck.

“The GPS shows us how fast he was going when he ran her over,” said McBride.

Ford said in his original statement to police that the girl was accidentally struck while he attempted to turn his truck around. The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office had already released information claiming the GPS showed no such maneuvers taking place. McBride refused to answer questions regarding the actual speed of the vehicle at the time of the accident, saying it would be brought to the court’s attention at the appropriate time.

The defense also said during arguments that police retrieved the GPS device from Ford and then gave it back to him after they asked him to come in for questioning. The device was apparently tossed in the trash at the Sheriff’s Office and then later retrieved, although it was not made clear who put the item in the waste basket or if police were aware of its capabilities at the time of the arrest.

The defense made requests to the court ensuring they received all the evidence from the District Attorney’s Office. “Everything we have, they have. I don’t have to go out and get evidence for his defense,” said McBride.