LIVE: Defendant pleads guilty in Sam Nordquist murder case

Added: 2026-06-03

[00:00:11]Thank you.

[00:00:12]Yeah.

[00:00:13]Big summer plans?

[00:00:16]Um hey, are we Are they waiting for us, sir?

[00:00:18]>> Uh I think we're good to go if you guys are good to go.

[00:00:21]>> Just just tell them >> We're good to go if you guys want to go.

[00:00:24]>> Yeah?

[00:00:24]>> 2 seconds.

[00:00:27]>> I think we're good.

[00:00:39]Yeah, just let me know when you guys are ready.

[00:00:40]>> All right.

[00:00:42]>> We're going to be taking you live just so you know.

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[00:00:48]Double-fisting.

[00:00:49]>> I know.

[00:00:50]Do what I can.

[00:00:52]>> Hey.

[00:00:54]What's going on?

[00:00:57]>> We're going to be ready to go.

[00:00:59]>> Okay.

[00:01:00]>> So, Mr. McBride, obviously some big news here out of Ontario County Court this morning. If you could kind of overall describe what we just witnessed in the courtroom this morning.

[00:01:09]>> Sure. Uh Emily Motyka, one of our seven defendants in the death of Sam Norquist, entered a guilty plea today to murder in the second degree and kidnapping in the second degree.

[00:01:21]Uh the sentence promise is a minimum of 15 years to life with a maximum of 50, 5 0, years to life. Also, we were able to obtain uh a waiver of appeal for her conviction and sentence. So, we're very pleased with that outcome. Certainly goes a long way to achieving justice for for Sam.

[00:01:40]And now our efforts are on to Ms. Arizmendi, whose trial starts on August 31st.

[00:01:47]>> Could you kind of describe some of the uh factors that you gave to reduce it down to two counts when if I remember correctly, it was more than 10 counts originally listed in the indictment.

[00:01:57]>> Sure. Now, every every case we treat differently and that's based upon a number of factors.

[00:02:02]Most importantly though, it should be noted that we consulted with Sam's family.

[00:02:07]They were in support of of the events that occurred today.

[00:02:11]Ms. Motyka is 19 years old who has no criminal history.

[00:02:16]And if we look at each of the seven defendants individually, Ms. Motyka certainly participated to a large extent but not to the same level that others did.

[00:02:26]It's also important to know that that she accepted responsibility [music] as you heard in court today. She described some very graphic details as to Sam's death. So, those are some of the factors that went into our considerations to offer that plea.

[00:02:43]>> Now, this morning we also listened to like you mentioned a disposition, I think is the word that was used from Ms. Motyka. How could that be used eventually when we think about the next six trials in this case?

[00:02:55]>> Um so ultimately, we're we're focused on Ms. Ares Wagon now and we're putting together all of our witnesses and evidence. There will be no offers with regards to Ms. Ares Wagon.

[00:03:09]So, all the charges are on the table.

[00:03:11]We're looking forward to prosecuting that matter in court.

[00:03:14]Um so, that's certainly a different scenario than what we had today with Ms. Motyka.

[00:03:19]>> Are there any other possible plea deals in the future?

[00:03:22]>> We can't comment on that at this time.

[00:03:25]Um but we're we're ready to go for Precious' case in late August.

[00:03:30]>> It's a very wide range of sentencing that you mentioned. What factors go into that and how is that eventually going to be determined?

[00:03:36]>> Sure, excellent question. So, pre-sentence investigation will be ordered and a lot of information will be collected.

[00:03:45]Information from Sam's family will be taken into account. So, Sam's family will have the opportunity to participate in that process.

[00:03:54]Also have the opportunity to speak in court.

[00:03:58]This process will also get into Ms. Motyka's background, her lack of criminal history, um any um unique factors with regards to her. So, there's a whole series of of factors that go into it that ultimately will land on Judge Carley's desk for the ultimate sentence.

[00:04:18]>> And uh how does this this guilty plea we hear help you prosecute all the cases going forward? What role does that play?

[00:04:24]>> Well, certainly spares Sam's family from having to sit through seven separate and unique trials. That there's something to be said for that.

[00:04:33]This family has been through it's an understatement, but they've been quite through quite a lot. Um them being halfway across the country, traveling back and forth, having to to see and listen to the uh devastating um acts that occurred with regards to Sam is is horrible. So, this does give them um some peace of mind. Um James Noble's our first assistant district attorney uh had contact with the family after our court proceedings, and they were very relieved that this is one uh trial that they don't have to to sit through out of the seven. So, there's something to be said for that.

[00:05:09]>> Yeah, I wanted to ask about that. What what do those conversations look like cuz I know originally they were against any plea deals in this case. I guess what do those conversations look like when something like this happens?

[00:05:18]>> Sure. I mean, I I would say it's it's been a it's been a unique circumstance. You have to remember this time last year Sam's family was dealing with a different administration.

[00:05:29]And so now with James, Sarah on board, um what I can tell you is those conversations have been honest, open, productive, and quite frankly, I think I know that they respect Sarah and James, their open lines of communication, their honesty, and how hard they're working to achieve justice for Sam. There's no question about that.

[00:05:50]>> Absolutely. And I wanted to ask too, I know Ms. Motyka was originally charged murder in the first degree. Some people might look at this and say, what decisions led to her pleading guilty ultimately to murder in the second degree here?

[00:06:00]>> Sure.

[00:06:01]And I I I indicated before, there's different levels of culpability with regards to everyone. And certainly Ms. Motyka's participation is different than others. And we treat each case differently. And at the end of the day, we we are we are always going to do what is right. And and we're always going to seek justice not only for Sam, but for the individuals that are that are involved. And they all have different backgrounds and deserve different outcomes. Let's put it that way.

[00:06:30]>> Now, was there anything in this plea agreement that would require Ms. Motyka to testify against the other co-defendant?

[00:06:37]>> That that unfortunately I can't comment on.

[00:06:40]>> Any details you can share about how this plea deal might help the prosecution build a case for a case going forward for the next six trials?

[00:06:48]>> Um I guess what do you mean by that?

[00:06:51]>> Uh again, that does the disposition that was shared, some extra details that she was able to confirm not only for herself she played guilty, but she said her co-defendants were also involved, that sort of thing. Anything that's helping the prosecution potentially build their case for the following six trials.

[00:07:05]>> Sure. Um I would just say it this way.

[00:07:07]Um you know, we're we're focused on Ms. Arizvega's case. We believe that that's a very strong case. And the evidence and the strength of that case, we're looking forward to presenting in court. Um you know, as prosecutors we're limited as to what we can talk about with regards to certain aspects of trials.

[00:07:26]Um but I know that James and Sarah are eagerly anticipating getting that case to trial in late August.

[00:07:33]>> Well, it says on Arizvega's case, but any other details or decisions made in regards to potentially combining the the trials for Patrick Deplin and Kyle Seage.

[00:07:41]>> At this time, um no. We're we're we're we're still dealing with that, but our efforts are focused on one trial at a time. You know, I think folks need to understand that each of these trials has the potential of going three, four, five, six weeks at at a time. So, you know, we really we really want to stay focused on each individual as they come through.

[00:08:05]And that in of itself is a is a full-time job, and I know that during the election a lot was made about the transition, and you know, whether or not these trials will be ready. And what I can tell you is is that we've hired the two very best trial attorneys in in all of New York State. And they spend a large percent of their day, weeks, months working only on this. So, I'm very confident that that we will be successful with all of our trials, but we are definitely putting in the work.

[00:08:33]We have the right people lined up to prosecute these cases, and uh we're we're very much looking forward to bringing continued justice to Sam and his family.

[00:08:43]>> You say Ms. Motyka took accountability this morning. For our viewers who weren't able to be in the courtroom themselves, can you kind of take us through what exactly she admitted to here?

[00:08:52]>> Sure. Yeah, she admitted to in you know, with depraved indifference to human life to participating with her co-defendants um in creating the the tragic death of Sam. There were there were a number of items that were placed on the record in court. Uh those involved repeated acts of punching, kicking, essentially torturing Sam um over a protracted period of time. Also restraining Sam for periods of time. Uh and and from my experience, Ms. Motyka, uh based upon for those of you were there, her affect or demeanor, um and again, I can't get into her mind, but uh she seemed she appeared to be very remorseful and very matter-of-fact about what happened, and she He really pull any punches. And and I I I hope that that provides a level of comfort to Sam's family because they deserve that.

[00:09:43]>> Is that something that's considered when you think about sentencing?

[00:09:47]>> Oh, absolutely.

[00:09:48]Absolutely. You know, the the the family's input is is huge.

[00:09:53]And also when someone takes accountability for their actions, there's a lot to be said for that. And and again, there's other factors that are involved in it, but someone taking accountability and sparing a family from having to relive this uh goes a long way. No question.

[00:10:09]>> Is she being cooperative with potentially helping the DA's office with future cases?

[00:10:14]>> I mean, she was cooperative with regards to her plea.

[00:10:17]As it relates to anything else, you know, that's really not for me to say.

[00:10:22]>> How does this affect the rest of the trials of the uh the other suspects in this case?

[00:10:27]>> It It really puts us in a spot where now we can focus on the next case that comes up in late August. So, trying seven defendants is is a undertaking that we're prepared to do.

[00:10:38]Um but now that Ms. Motyka has accepted responsibility, we can redouble our efforts with Ms. Arizmendi and and move forward with that.

[00:10:47]>> I'm sorry if this question was already asked, but do you do you think the current taking of the plea deal might have encouraged other defendants to also possibly consider that?

[00:10:55]>> That I couldn't That's a question for, you know, the defense attorneys that represent those individuals.

[00:11:00]But certainly, I know James and Sarah will need to have conversations with with any of the attorneys to do what's best for Sam and and his family. No question.

[00:11:10]>> Are there any other plea deals on the table right now?

[00:11:12]>> No.

[00:11:15]>> I know, what is the current schedule looking like? We have Arizmendi in August, and then do we have any other ones scheduled at this point?

[00:11:20]>> have August 31st for Ms. Arizmendi, and then I think January Jan- What do we have uh >> January 4th.

[00:11:28]>> January 4th for for Brooklyn.

[00:11:31]>> March 5th for Brooklyn.

[00:11:32]>> And then March 5th, okay, for Sage. So, yeah.

[00:11:35]>> will be tried together, Kyle Sage and Patrick Goodwin?

[00:11:38]>> So, at this point in time there's some additional efforts that need to be made in order to accomplish that that that are being worked on. So, let's stay tuned on that one.

[00:11:50]>> Thank you.

[00:11:51]>> Thank you. Any other questions?

[00:11:52]>> Yeah, sorry. My name is uh >> No, you're fine.

[00:11:54]>> Um are you able to talk about what was discussed in this video?

[00:11:59]>> As far as So, I mean, what what should not get lost on folks is that there's life on the end of this of this sentence.

[00:12:07]Talking about a 19-year-old now 20 who faces life imprisonment for things that, justifiably, the sentence is deserved.

[00:12:15]Um so, the minimum possible sentence is 15 years to life and the maximum sentence is 50 50 years to life, which for a 20-year-old is is significant.

[00:12:26]But, well deserved based upon what she admitted to.

[00:12:29]>> Are you able to share more about that with what she admitted to and her involvement in Sam Lordquist's murder?

[00:12:37]>> I mean, she she pled guilty to murder in the second degree, kidnapping in the second degree. She described a series of events that she engaged in, you know, on or about between January 1st of 2025 and I believe February 2nd of 2025.

[00:12:52]Uh some quite frankly some some heinous things that she participated in.

[00:12:56]Um and, you know, this is a a plea and sentence that she certainly earned.

[00:13:01]>> Obviously, this is a very surprising decision. A lot of people in the community probably said with the fact that this is happening. But, what's your comment to them as far as, you know, you mentioned this is in a sense of justice for, you know, Lordquist's family as well.

[00:13:13]>> Sure.

[00:13:14]I mean, look, at the end of the day, our responsibility is to Sam and Sam's family.

[00:13:21]And we did not take this plea and sentence lightly. And that's why we spent the time to go through this and explain things to Sam's mom and sister who, as everyone here knows, have a lot of contact and and and um friends and family and supporters here in Ontario County.

[00:13:43]Uh this this this this result should be met with exactly that. It should be met with um it it provides a level of accountability.

[00:13:53]And we are We now have someone who will be locked away for a very long time for what happened to Sam. And it's to be met with a lot of different emotions, for sure.

[00:14:06]Accountability being one.

[00:14:09]Um and again, this this person's 19 years old.

[00:14:13]So, someone spending 50 years to life prison as a 19-year-old, I don't know why anyone would be disappointed with that.

[00:14:21]>> I know you put out like the sentencing guidelines for the range of that.

[00:14:27]Will the decision on whether or not she's given a chance at parole be decided by the judge at the sentencing hearing, or how does that work?

[00:14:34]>> So, the New York State Parole Board decides whether or not someone is released once they're incarcerated. As far as the the sentence that she receives, Ms. Motyka receives, ultimately that that's at the discretion of Judge Carley based upon a number of factors. This pre-sentence investigation, comments that are made at sentencing from the people, comments that are made on behalf of the victim. The victim's family gets to speak as well.

[00:15:00]And Ms. Motyka also gets to address the court as well. And after all of those things get, you know, put on the record and put out there, Judge Carley gets to decide what that sentence ultimately is.

[00:15:11]>> At this point, is the prosecution going for a specific You said 15 to 50 years.

[00:15:16]What's the prosecution going for in this?

[00:15:18]>> Well, we're looking forward to making sure that we have the results of this pre-sentence investigation.

[00:15:23]We want to have a more in-depth conversation with with Sam's family. And at the time of sentence, we'll we'll certainly make our recommendation. So, too early to tell.

[00:15:34]>> Just to clarify, Miss Butiko was one of the defendants who took part in the actual torture.

[00:15:37]>> That is correct.

[00:15:41]All right.

[00:15:41]>> Thank you.

[00:15:42]>> Thanks, everyone. Appreciate you guys making the drive down to Canandaigua.

[00:15:47]Great weather.

[00:15:48]>> Not too bad. Can't complain.

[00:15:50]>> You got to enjoy the local economy here.

[00:15:52]Today, it's lunch.

[00:15:53]>> Marsha and I, we go down to the pizza place at the mall.

[00:15:55]>> Yeah.

[00:15:56]The pizza place?

[00:15:57]>> Yes.