ONEONTA – Catherine J. Tisenchek passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on July 8, 1957 to Louis G. Tisenchek Sr. and Jane Elizabeth “Betty” Post.
After graduating from Oneonta High School, Cathy attended SUNY Cobleskill where she received her Associates degree. Upon commencement, she was employed by various lawyers in the Oneonta area as a legal secretary before moving on to work for the Cooperstown Family Court System.
In 1997, Cathy started with the Oneonta City Court, becoming Chief Clerk in 2008. She received the Judith Kaye Award in 2017 which she was very proud of. Cathy remained in this position until her retirement in the Fall of 2021.
Julian Vancourt-Wels, 20, made an appearance in Oneonta City Court for further proceedings in the charge that he allegedly attempted to stab his girlfriend to death in their apartment on Maple Street. The case was adjourned to Tuesday, Jan. 2 for further proceedings. He is currently being held in the Otsego County Jail without bail. (Ian Austin/AllOtsego.com)
Joshua P. Underwood is led into Otsego County Court this morning, where a scheduled felony hearing was closed, pending the Grand Jury’s decision on whether or not to indict. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
By LIBBY CUDMORE • for www.allotsego.com
Judge Lucy P. Bernier denied Underwood’s request for change of counsel.
ONEONTA – Judge Lucy P. Bernier denied Joshua Underwood’s request for a change of counsel during his appearance in Oneonta City Court this morning.
Underwood, who had been arrested and charged with murder in the New Year’s Day death of Mark J. Morrison, 52, had written a letter to Judge Bernier, dated Jan. 8, to request the change, saying his lawyer, Assistant Public Defender James Ferrari, spoke to the press after he asked him not to.
“Mr. Ferrari is an experienced counsel,” said Bernier. “I see no basis to this claim, and am denying this request.”
Otsego County Corrections Officers K. Leigh Prostak, John Hoke and Jason Ritton escort Joshua P. Underwood into Oneonta City Court this morning. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
ONEONTA – Weeping, shaking and making a small wave to family gathered in the courtroom, Joshua P. Underwood, 25, made his first court appearance since his Monday morning arraignment on the charge that he bludgeoned Mark J. Morrison, 52, to death on New Year’s Day.
State Court Officer Matthew Brown hangs the official portrait of former Oneonta City Judge Walter Terry III, seen behind him with wife Diane, in the City Court hallway this afternoon in the city’s Public Safety Complex at Main and Market. Family and friends attended to mark the occasion. County Judge Brian Burns, City Judges Richard McVinney and Lucy Bernier and Chief City Courty Clerk Cathy Tisenchek delivered remarks praising Judge Terry’s character, ethics, respect, fairness and temperament. Judge Terry served on the city bench from 1999 to 2008, then resumed private practice. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
