2 arraigned in Johnstown murder

Daily Gazette, The (Schenectady, NY) - May 14, 1998

Edition: Fulton Montgomery Schoharie; First
Section: First Edition Cos
Page: B-05
JOHNSTOWN - The final two suspects indicted last week in connection with the March 17 murder of John Morgan pleaded not guilty
Wednesday at their arraignments.

Johnstown residents Amanda C. Dzierson, 20, and Theodore Cook, 18, appeared before Fulton County Court Judge Angelo D. Lomanto.
He arraigned their co-defendant, Lucas Whaley, 17, Tuesday.

The three are accused of murdering their former friend, 19-year-old Morgan, at Cook's South Melcher Street Extension home. Authorities
said the three had various grievances against Morgan, including a telephone bill of nearly $900 he ran up at Cook's house.

Cook and Whaley were both indicted on two counts each of second-degree murder and second-degree assault and single counts of
conspiracy and first-degree kidnapping.

Dzierson, of West Montgomery Street, Johnstown, was indicted on single counts of second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and
conspiracy, and two counts of second-degree assault.

In contrast to previous court appearances in the case, at which Dzierson was observed smiling, her demeanor Wednesday was subdued.
The former Johnstown High School varsity tennis player and school band member, displaying a tattoo on her left bicep, answered
demurely each time Lomanto asked her a question.

Whaley's attorney, J. Gerard McAuliffe, has notified the court he may present an insanity defense.

ARRESTS IN DRUG TRAFFIC

Index terms: Murder- Fulton County
Record: 111134F576A20B54
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