The seven suspects arrested in the death of Sam Nordquist were arraigned in Ontario County Court on Tuesday.
The suspects are accused of torturing and killing Nordquist, 24, a man originally from Minnesota, outside Canandaigua. They are charged with first-degree murder.
All suspects entered not guilty pleas on Tuesday.
Judge Kristina Karle also granted protection against all defendants for two children involved in the case. Those children, 7 and 12 years old, are confirmed to be the children of one of the suspects, Precious Arzuaga, 38, of Geneva.
Last week, Ontario County assistant district attorney Kelly Wolford said are also victims in this case.
"They may have been forced to participate, but their lives are forever changed by what they saw and endured in there," Wolford said last week.
Lawrence Kasperek, the defense attorney of suspect Thomas Eaves, 21, of Geneva, said the investigation is still early and they are prepared to do their due diligence.
“Even a Supreme Court judge is quoted as saying that the district attorney's office could indict a ham sandwich if they wanted to," Kasperek said. "So now we have to figure out what evidence they have that may implicate any of the clients, in particular my client. So we’re going to put them to the test.”
“Certainly, we have an obligation that we don’t poison the jury pool," Ontario County District Attorney Jim Ritts said. "We’re going to be very cautious about the things we say. Certainly, it’s still an ongoing investigation. So there’s a lot to do and a lot of work to do. And we want to make sure we’re able to try these people with a jury of their peers in a fair setting.”
In addition to Arzuaga and Eaves, other suspects arraigned include:
- Jennifer Quijano, 30, of Geneva
- Kyle Sage, 33, of Hopewell
- Patrick Goodwin, 30, of Rochester
- Emily Motyka, 19, of Rochester
- Kimberly Sochia, 29, of Canandaigua
Officials said Nordquist moved from Minnesota to New York in September and was living at Patty’s Lodge in Hopewell with at least one of the suspects.
Nordquist, a Black man from Minnesota, was transgender, but authorities have said they have no evidence of a hate crime.
Authorities said Nordquist arrived to New York on his own free will, but he was held captive between Jan. 1 and the day he died on Feb. 2.
Police said Nordquist was reported missing on Feb. 9. Investigators say from early January to February, Nordquist was subjected to repeated violence and torture that ultimately led to his death. His body was recovered in a field on Payne Road in Yates County, according to police.
