Sprakers man charged with murder after father’s death

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SPRAKERS - A Sprakers man was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the Monday homicide of his father, state police said.

New York State Police said Gerry King of Sprakers was apprehended in Connecticut and was extradited to New York state Wednesday evening. Upon his arrival, King was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, troopers said. He was processed at the state police barracks in Princetown and arraigned in Sharon Springs Town Court, then sent to Schoharie County Jail, where troopers said he remains this morning.

The victim, 63-year-old George King of Sharon Springs, died of blunt force trauma to the head and chest, troopers said. He was found at his home, where he lived alone, police said. An autopsy was conducted Tuesday at Albany Medical Center. Police declined to release further information about how George King died.

Gerry King, of 1324 Carlisle Road in Sprakers, was charged as a fugitive from justice in Connecticut and was incarcerated in Litchfield while he awaited extradition to New York. Further information on Gerry King was unavailable.

Root Supervisor John Thayer said he does not know the victim or the alleged killer, but news of the murder has shaken the tiny hamlet of about 30 homes. Thayer said he lives in Sprakers, and the Root town offices are located there as well.

"It's very surprising," he said. "Obviously, you don't expect to hear this sort of news."

Thayer said in such a rural area, a murder is uncommon and shocking. He said Carlisle Road, where police said the alleged killer lives, is a long stretch of pavement with homes spread far apart.

"Sprakers is smaller than small. It's entirely rural," he said. "It makes me cringe when you hear someone [from here] may have committed a murder."

Evelyn VanKersen, the wife of Root Councilman John VanKersen, said she has lived in Sprakers her entire life and can't remember something similar ever happening there.

"It's definitely surprising in a town like this," she said. "I've lived here all my life and there has never been a problem with crime."

VanKersen said she does not know the victim or the suspect and thinks the suspect may be from outside the area.

Kayleigh Karutis covers Gloversville news. She can be reached at gloversville@leaderherald.com.