Downstate man indicted in death of Locke couple

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July 16, 2008

Route 30 accident claimed lives of two motorcyclists

By DENISE A. RAYMO The Press Republican Wed Jul 16, 2008, 12:00 AM EDT

TUPPER LAKE -- An Attica man was indicted for criminally negligent homicide, manslaughter and other counts in the deaths of a downstate couple he reportedly crashed into on July 1, 2007.

Edward J. Schmieder, 45, pleaded not guilty before Franklin County Court Judge Robert G. Main Jr. to two counts of criminally negligent homicide, two counts of second-degree manslaughter, reckless driving and failure to keep right.

He is accused of crossing the center line of State Route 30 and crashing his truck and attached boat into the last three motorcyclists riding in a group of nine family and friends.

Killed were Steven R. Markham, 51, of Locke and his 49-year-old wife, Sandra.

Mr. Markham's brother, David, 46, of Auburn, was injured in the crash and has since recovered.

Investigating State Police said autopsies revealed that the couple died from multiple traumatic injuries.

Schmieder, who was represented in court Tuesday by Malone attorney Peter Dumas, was sent to County Jail in lieu of $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 insurance bond to await his next court date.

draymo@pressrepublican.com