NORWICH – Defense Attorney F. Stanton Ackerman, representing Ganesh R. Ramsaran, 38, of New Berlin – who has been indicted for second degree murder, an A-I violent felony in relation to the death of his wife – filed a motion to disqualify Chenango County’s District Attorney from prosecuting the alleged murderer, claiming a conflict of interest and asking for the appointment of a special prosecutor outside of the county District Attorney’s Office to try the case.

The defendant stands accused of murdering his wife on or about December 11, 2012, in their home located at 449 Sheff Road in the Town of New Berlin. First reported missing by her husband on the same day she is alleged to have been murdered, the search for the missing Ramsaran lasted for seventy-seven days before she was found. On Feb. 26, 2012, the late Ramsaran’s body was located, exposed to the elements down an embankment adjacent to Center Road in the Town of Pharsalia. Following an investigation by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, her husband was arrested on May 17 and a criminal complaint formally accusing him of murder was filed.

In a court paper received on July 17, Ackerman claims his client will be placed at an unfair disadvantage because Chenango County Assistant District Attorney Micheal Ferraresse was previously involved in civil court proceedings with Eileen Sayles. The court paper claims Sayles was party to an extramarital affair with Ramsaran and that she will be a material witness should the case go to trial.

In the document, Ackerman states that Sayles “vehemently denies any involvement or any criminal conduct regarding the death of the late Jennifer Ramsaran.”

Furthermore, Ackerman states the defense’s belief that, during the course of the investigation into the death of Jennifer Ramsaran and in conjunction with the D.A.’s Office, the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office focused on Sayles as well as the accused. It is also claimed – and not contested – that Ferraresse had been retained as part of his private practice several months before the disappearance of Ramsaran by Sayles while she was pursuing a divorce from her husband.

Ackerman also states the defendant has been made aware that – during two conferences with Ferrarese, prior to Jennifer Ramsaran’s disappearance – Sayles had provided him with details regarding the alleged affair.