Joshua P. McWain pleads guilty to Murder 2nd for intentionally causing the death of his mother on eve of trial
August 2, 2013
Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy, III announced today the plea of guilty of the defendant JOSHUA P. McWAIN (8-27-85), of Greenfield, before the Honorable Jerry J. Scarano, to Murder in the Second Degree, in violation of Penal Law Section 125.25(1) as a class “A-I” Felony.
On October 27, 2012, the defendant killed his mother, Carol L. Stanford, age 59, after a household argument. The defendant then buried his mother under a shed on their property. On October 30, 2012, concerned neighbors noticed Ms. Stanford’s disappearance and requested that the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office perform a welfare check. After a short investigation, Mr. McWain admitted to striking his mother with a floor buffer and burying her body in a root cellar under his work shed.
District Attorney James A. Murphy, III commended the work of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, “From the deputies who responded to the initial welfare check to the investigators who took over the case, the Sheriff’s Office did a very thorough and professional job to bring this defendant to justice and bring a sense of peace to the victim’s family.”
Assistant District Attorney Daniel J. Kopach was assigned to the case and has met with Ms. Stanford’s family who are relieved that the defendant has been held responsible for this tragic act.
The matter was scheduled for a conference today to discuss the upcoming trial which was to begin on Monday, August 5, 2013. Informal discussions regarding a plea had been ongoing for several months culminating in today’s plea.
McWain also admitted to an unrelated Violation of Probation, a misdemeanor stemming from a larceny from 2011.
Sentencing has been scheduled for September 27, 2013 at which time it is anticipated that the defendant will receive an indeterminate term of 19 to Life in a State Correctional Facility.
Hon. James A. Murphy, III
Saratoga County District Attorney
Director and Past Chair
NYS District Attorney’s Association
25 West High Street
Municipal Center
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
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DA website: www.jimmurphyda.com
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