ITHACA, N.Y. — All four people allegedly involved in killing a Newfield man at his home plead not guilty to charges against them in court Thursday.
Camden Rundell, 30, was found by first responders about 100 feet from his front door at 221 Burdge Hill Road at 5:02 a.m. on Dec.2. He was dead when officials arrived at the scene. The incident was initially reported as a cardiac arrest, but police said from the get-go that the death was being investigated as “suspicious” and that police were interviewing people who may have been at the residence when Rundell died.
Since then, five people have been indicted in connection with the crime.
In court Thursday, Jamie Gerhart, 38, Colleen McColgin, 37 and Roy Clements Jr, 39, were all arraigned on felony second-degree murder and first-degree robbery charges. All of them pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Gerhart’s attorney Kristine Shaw asked the court to set bail for her client$5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond.
The defendant lives in Tompkins County, has ties to the community and has no serious criminal history dating back at least 15 years. However, an illegally owned handgun was found during a search of her home, for which Gerhart is expected to face charges for.
If convicted of murder she will face 25 years to life in prison.
Judge Joseph Cassidy agreed to set bail for her at $200,000 cash or $400,000 bond.
Clements, who is represented by Jerome Mayersak, will undergo a probation review in the coming weeks and continues to be held without bail.
McColgin, represented by Max Brown and Kevin Jones, did not make a bail request, but said they would take more time to make a formal request in the coming weeks.
In addition to the murder suspects, Melissa J. Minnick, 39, of Ithaca, also plead not guilty to felony fourth-degree conspiracy. She was represented by Nancy Murphy.
Minnick has been released on $10,000 cash bail for several weeks, an amount Judge Cassidy did not increase in court.
Acting District Attorney Andrew Bonavia is prosecuting all the cases.
A fifth person, noted only as John Doe in all court documents, has also been indicted on second-degree murder and first-degree robbery. The person’s identity has not been made public and Bonavia has declined to comment about the charge.
Featured photo (Clockwise): Jamie Gerhart, Colleen McColgin, Roy Clements Jr., and Melissa Minnick.