Update at 1:48 p.m. — The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that Thomas Clayton — who is accused of murdering his wife Kelley Clayton — was taken into custody and charged with second-degree criminal contempt for violating an order of protection.
Police said he appeared in the town of Caton court Wednesday morning where his bail was increased to $500,000 cash or $1 million property bond.
Undersheriff Jim Allard said he will gather more information about the case for The Ithaca Voice. He could not confirm where Clayton was arrested, among other details.
The Star-Gazette is reporting that an order of protection was issued for two minor children and the woman taking care of them. Clayton allegedly violated an order of protection by texting the woman who has custody of his children.
Allard said New York State Police troopers made the arrest.
Sgt. Michael Soroka — of New York State Police’s Troop C, which patrols the Ithaca area — said he could not confirm the agency’s involvement in the arrest.
An official spokesperson for the state police could not be reached for comment at this time.
ITHACA, N.Y. — A man accused of committing a murder in Steuben County has been arrested in Ithaca after violating an order of protection, reports say.
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Thomas Clayton is facing a second-degree murder charge for reportedly killing his wife Kelley Clayton on Sept. 29, MyTwinTiers.com reports.
The report says Clayton was released from jail two days ago after posting $250,000 bail.
The Star-Gazette states that Clayton’s attorney Ray Schlather, of Ithaca, argued that Clayton is a businessman with strong ties to the community. Schlather said no bail or low bail should be issued for the man.
Schlather said Clayton was paying poker with friends at the time when his wife was killed and said the defense will present GPS evidence to prove it, the article says.
The article says another man, Michael J. Beard, 44, of Hall Street in Elmira, was charged late last week with second-degree murder in the case.
Michael J. Beard, 44, of Hall Street, Elmira, also has been charged with second-degree murder in the case, the Democrat and Chronicle reports.
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