During a virtual scheduling conference on Wednesday before the Honorable Kristina Karle in Ontario County Court, the Court indicated that trial proceedings in the homicide case involving Sam Nordquist are expected to begin in September. While a specific date has not yet been set, at least one trial is anticipated to commence that month.
The People formally requested that a trial date be scheduled, indicating readiness to proceed. Defense counsel appeared virtually on behalf of the defendants, and defendant appearances were formally waived. All defendants remain jailed, with no changes to bail status.
Kimberly Socchia, of Canandaigua, Thomas Eaves, of Geneva, Precious Arzguaga, of Canandaigua, Jennifer Quijano, of Geneva, Emily Motyka, of Lima, Patrick Goodwin, of Canandaigua, and Kyle Sage, of Rochester were indicted on charges including first-degree murder, second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, second-degree conspiracy, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Goodwin, Sage, Arzuaga, and Quijano are also charged with first-degree aggravated sexual abuse.
It is also alleged that Arzuaga forced a 7-year-old and a 12-year-old to partake in some of the acts of torture against Nordquist. For that, she has been charged with two counts of coercion.
It is believed the 24-year-old Nordquist traveled from Minnesota to the Finger Lakes in September of 2024 and was staying at Patty’s Lodge in Hopewell with some of the suspects. Nordquist, who identified as being a transgender man, was reported missing on January 1, 2025. According to the indictment, the suspects tortured Nordquist between January 1 and February 2nd of last year. Nordquist’s body was found on February 13 in a field in Benton, Yates County.
Bottom Row (L to R): Kimberly Sochia, Precious Arzuaga, Thomas Eaves (photos: provided)
The Court noted that there will be more than one trial in the matter, with each trial expected to last approximately one month. Future court appearances requiring the defendants’ presence are scheduled for April 22 and April 24, to address severance motions and further trial scheduling.
The case is being co-prosecuted by First Assistant District Attorney James Nobles and Chief Assistant District Attorney Sara Van Strydonck. In a statement, District Attorney Jason MacBride stated:
“The People are prepared to move forward to trial. Our responsibility is to present the evidence in court and pursue justice on behalf of Sam Nordquist’s family and friends. They deserve a fair and thorough judicial process, and we remain committed to seeing this case through to its conclusion.”
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
