The seven people accused in the torture and murder of Sam Nordquist appeared in Ontario County Court on Thursday as legal proceedings in the high-profile case continue.
29-year-old Kimberly Socchia, of Canandaigua, 21-year-old Thomas Eaves, of Geneva, 38-year-old Precious Arzguaga, of Canandaigua, 30-year-old Jennifer Quijano, of Geneva, 19-year-old Emily Motyka, of Lima, 30-year-old Patrick Goodwin, of Canandaigua, and 33-year-old Kyle Sage, of Rochester have been 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 in connection with Nordquist’s death at Patty’s Lodge in February. All seven have pleaded not guilty.
During Thursday’s hearing, defense attorneys requested separate trials for the defendants and asked that the case be moved out of Ontario County, citing concerns about pretrial publicity and a fair trial. They also criticized delays in the sharing of evidence by the district attorney’s office.
Prosecutors countered that it’s too early to determine the trial location, noting that the investigation is still active and new evidence is being shared with defense attorneys as it becomes available.
Nordquist, a Black transgender man from Minnesota, moved to New York in September and was staying in Hopewell with at least one of the accused. Investigators say he was held captive from January 1 until his death on February 2, enduring ongoing violence and torture during that time. He was reported missing on February 9. His body was later discovered in a field in the Yates County town of Benton on February 13th.
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.
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