Four months before the first trial is set to begin, attorneys in the high-profile murder case tied to the death of Sam Nordquist are still debating whether some defendants will be tried together — and whether key charges should stand at all.
Two of the seven people charged with first-degree murder, Precious Arzuaga and Kyle Sage, appeared in Ontario County Court this week for motions hearings, where their defense teams renewed efforts to have grand jury indictments dismissed.
Attorneys for both defendants argued the indictments should be thrown out, citing a recent appellate case they say limits when someone can be held criminally responsible based on presence alone. Prosecutors pushed back, saying the legal standard has not changed and that they are confident the motions will be denied. A judge is expected to issue a written decision.
The hearings come as broader questions remain unresolved about how the case will ultimately be tried. While earlier discussions raised the possibility of combining some trials, including Sage’s with co-defendant Patrick Goodwin, prosecutors have since indicated all seven defendants are expected to be tried separately. Still, defense attorneys said coordination between cases — including observing earlier trials — will play a key role in strategy.
Nordquist, a 24-year-old from Oakdale, Minnesota, traveled to the Finger Lakes region in September 2024 and stayed in Ontario County before his disappearance. His body was found Feb. 13, 2025 in a Yates County field after authorities said he endured months of torture.
Arzuaga, who prosecutors have described as the “ring leader,” is expected to be the first defendant to stand trial, with jury selection scheduled to begin Aug. 31. Sage’s case currently carries a tentative “backup” trial date of Jan. 4, 2027, with additional proceedings expected into early 2027 for other defendants.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Sage’s attorney argued that even if his client was present during parts of the alleged crimes, that alone does not meet the legal threshold for criminal liability. Prosecutors countered that the argument misapplies existing case law and said the evidence presented to the grand jury supports the charges.
The case involves seven defendants — Arzuaga, Sage, Goodwin, Emily Motyka, Jennifer Quijano, Kimberly Sochia and Thomas Eaves — each facing first-degree murder charges.
Both sides acknowledged the volume of evidence remains a major factor shaping the timeline. Prosecutors said they continue to prepare witnesses from across the country, while defense attorneys described the discovery as extensive, including digital communications, surveillance video and other records.
Officials said the scale and complexity of the case — involving multiple defendants, legal teams and jurisdictions — means proceedings will stretch over an extended period.
While Arzuaga’s upcoming trial is the next major step, additional motions or developments remain possible as attorneys continue to work through the case ahead of trial.
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