Rance Freeman
A Mayville man will spend more than a decade in prison for the November 2008 killing of his acquaintance a case boosted by advances in DNA testing and putting to rest a years-long investigation.
Rance “Randy” Freeman Jr. was sentenced Wednesday before Judge Susan M. Eagan to 14 years in state prison and five years post-release supervision for the killing of 55-year-old Jeffrey Johnson. The village man was indicted on murder charges in November 2018 before pleading guilty to a count of first-degree manslaughter in February of this year.
The COVID-19 pandemic pushed sentencing back by about seven months.
According to Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson, the case was boosted by DNA forensic analysis that was not as advanced at the time of the Nov. 8, 2008, homicide. Specifically, Swanson said use of a DNA testing system known as STRmix helped investigators connect the murder weapon a heavy fireplace tool to Freeman.
Rance Freeman
A Mayville man will spend more than a decade in prison for the November 2008 killing of his acquaintance a case boosted by advances in DNA testing technology and putting to rest a years-long investigation.
Rance “Randy” Freeman Jr. was sentenced Wednesday before Judge Susan M. Eagan to 14 years in state prison and five years post-release supervision for the killing of 55-year-old Jeffrey Johnson. The village man was indicted on murder charges in November 2018 before pleading guilty to a count of first-degree manslaughter in February of this year.
The COVID-19 pandemic pushed sentencing back by about seven months.
According to Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson, the case was aided significantly by DNA forensic analysis that was not as advanced at the time of the Nov. 8, 2008, homicide. Specifically, Swanson said use of a DNA testing system known as STRmix helped investigators connect the murder weapon a fire place tool to Freeman.
Whatâs happening in the arts world
Updated December 24, 2020, 12:00 p.m.
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MUSIC
Rock & Pop
ELLIS PAUL AT PASSIM Wednesday sees Club Passim hosting an Ellis Paul tribute night featuring a whole raftâs worth of local folkies; the next night Paul himself hosts a New Yearâs Eve party to close out 2021.
Dec. 31, 8 p.m.
Dec. 31, 10:30 p.m.
Classical
BOSTON BAROQUE As in Decembers past, the ensemble will ring in the new year with performances on Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 1 at 3 p.m., this time featuring an encore broadcast of its vibrant New Yearâs concert from January 2019.
Whatâs happening in the arts world
Updated December 17, 2020, 4:08 p.m.
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MUSIC
Rock & Pop
LORI MCKENNA Stoughtonâs Grammy-winning songwriter performs with a full band in a livestream from the Club Passim stage, where she cut her teeth as a young musician.
Dec. 18, 7 p.m.
CHAD STOKES AND THE PINTOS The Dispatch frontman takes to the Internet for a show to benefit Calling All Crows, the service organization cofounded by Stokes and his partner and tour manager Sybil Urmston. The day also includes an online service project and teach-in in partnership with Riot RI, and pre and post-show hangouts.