FERNDALE — New York State Police (NYSP) in Liberty responded to a 911 call for a possible homicide at 305 Harris Road shortly before 7 p.m. on Monday evening.

According to Troop F Public Information Officer Steve Nevel, State Troopers who arrived at that address located the homeowner, Louisa S. Butler, 90, deceased inside the residence.

As a result of an investigation, State Police say they’ve charged James M. Brodie, 75, of Liberty with murder second degree, a Class A Felony. Brodie was arraigned in the Town of Thompson Court by Town Justice Martin S. Miller and remanded to Sullivan County Jail with no bail.

According to Nevel, Brodie was a tenant of Butler’s. Her cause of death was reported as blunt force trauma. 

Brodie appeared in Sullivan County Court yesterday before Judge Jim Farrell. Tim Havas of the Sullivan County Legal Aid Bureau represented Brodie. Judge Farrell ordered a psychiatric evaluation and remanded Brodie without bail. 

The investigation was conducted by the New York State Police with the assistance of the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office.