Man Admits Lying About Rape And Killing Of 11-Year-Old Girl

NORWICH, N.Y. (AP) — The boyfriend of a man convicted of raping and killing an 11-year-old girl admits lying to police and naming false suspects to protect the real killer.

James Brower pleaded guilty Friday in Chenango County Court to hindering prosecution for lying about the death of Jacelyn O'Connor. She was killed in July 2017 by Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding in the home the men shared in Norwich. Jacelyn was the half-sister of Brower's sons.

Rundstrom-Wooding pleaded guilty last June to rape and murder and was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.

Brower is expected to be sentenced to 1 ½ to 4 ½ years in prison on June 17. District Attorney Michael Ferrarese tells the Press and Sun-Bulletin there's no evidence he took part in the killing or rape.