NORWICH — Convicted murderer Ganesh R. Ramsaran was sentenced to an indetermine sentence of 25 years to life in prison this morning in Chenango County Court.
After a trial spanning approximately three weeks and jury deliberations lasting just more than three hours, Ramsaran was found guilty of murdering his wife on Sept. 23, 2014.
Based upon evidence — which was said throughout the trial to be largely circumstantial — the jury was convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Ramsaran had killed Jennifer Ramsaran in their home on Dec. 11, 2012.
Prior to any statements regarding sentencing today, Chenango County Court Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr. asked Ramsaran’s defense counsel, Giberto Garcia, if there were any discrepancies in the pre-sentencing report that was completed by the Chenango County Probation Department.
Garcia said he has not spoken to his client – prior to today – since his arrest on another matter, and he found the lack of communication to be a bit unusual.
Ramsaran addressed the court and said the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office denied him access to call his attorney. McBride said he checked with the Corrections Sgt. and he said there were no calls during his shift.
“When my client tells me he was not allowed to call me, that presents a problem,” said Garcia. Although he said they were ultimately prepared to continue with the sentencing.
“Judge, the victim’s family is here in court today, but they do not wish to speak today,” said McBride to the court when Revoir offered the victim’s family an opportunity to address the court.
“He (Ramsaran) stands convicted of killing his wife Jennifer,” said McBride. “I’ve never seen a case where a man does this for purely selfish reasons. Jennifer’s life was taken on Dec. 11, 2012. Not only was it unjust to Jennifer, but also to her family, her children, and the community.”
Ramsaran reported his wife missing the night of Dec 11, 2012, and said she left to shop in Syracuse but hadn’t returned. According to Ramsaran, it was unusual for Jennifer to not be in contact with him throughout the day, either via phone or text.
During the trial —and even before Ramsaran was charged with murder in the second degree— it was made known that Ramsaran was having an affair with the victim’s best friend, Eileen Sayles.
Lead Detective in the investigation, Lieutenant Richard Cobb had testified in court when asked if all of Jennifer’s friends were questioned, said that Sayles was Jennifer’s only friend.
Sayles was considered a material witness for the prosecution. She did admit that initially she did not want to have to testify.
While where was no cause of death determined and no direct evidence, Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride told the jury during the trial there was no one else in the world that had motive to kill Jennifer Ramsaran. McBride additionally said during the trial that the case was based on deception, sex, money, obsession and ultimately the unfortunate death of Jennifer Ramsaran.
Unlike many defendants in murder trials, Ramsaran took the stand in his own defense.
“When you look at all the facts and motivations for killing his wife, I’d ask the court to give justice for Jennifer and impose the maximum sentence of 25 years to life in the New York State Department of Corrections,” said McBride to the court today.
Additionally, Garcia and Ramsaran were given the opportunity to address the court before the sentence was handed down.
“Your honor, I respect the jury’s verdict. All I can say is that as an advocate for my client, I believe his innocence,” said Garcia. “I know the ins and outs, and what the jury didn’t hear. In essence, there was no defense. Our position is that there was no evidence.”
Garcia added that he knows Ramsaran as a different man, not a convicted felon. “I’ve learned a lot about Jennifer from the enormous amount of time spent with my client. At the end of the day, there are facts: Jennifer was a great person, and a great mom. The children do not deserve what is happening to them. They are the greatest victims moving forward, along with her family. Her parents raised a great woman, wife and mom. I have been extremely depressed the last two months and I didn’t think I would be.”
“I don’t know what happened that morning,” said Garcia. “None of us do. The jury’s verdict we must respect. There has got to be something in our hearts for this father and those children to mend that relationship.”
Garcia added that Revoir and McBride have been nothing but gentlemen throughout the proceedings.
