Foster pleads guilty to first-degree murder

PLATTSBURGH | On the morning of trial March 16, accused killer Craig Foster pleaded guilty to top-level murder and kidnapping charges in connection with the violent July death of a Lyon Mountain mother. Clinton County District Attorney Andrew J. Wylie, who led the prosecution, announced Foster's guilty plea Wednesday afternoon after the 37-year-old Keeseville man was set for trial before Judge William Favreau following two days of jury selection in the case. Alongside attorney Allan Cruikshank, Foster pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, second-degree conspiracy, third-degree grand larceny and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance in satisfaction of the indictment against him in connection with Crisie Luebbers death at a Schuyler Falls home in early July. Foster had previously pleaded not guilty to allegations that he brutally beat Luebbers to death after luring her to the home and accusing her of being a police informant that led to a heroin bust and his arrest a short time earlier. Co-defendants Nicole Cayea and Nicole Harrigan are said to have helped lure Luebbers to the Blake Road home, where they also allegedly beat the well-known local mother and wife. Foster will now face concurrent indeterminate sentences of 25 years to life total with the charges running consecutive to three separate pending drug indictments against him. Foster previously pleaded guilty to charges in those cases and will receive a determinate 11-year sentence on those charges. In total, Foster will serve an aggregate sentence of 36 years to life as a second felony offender on all four indictments. Additional conditions are a fine of up to $100,000 to be imposed at the court's discretion along with court fees and surcharges. Foster will return to court before Judge Favreau for sentencing May 26. District Attorney Wylie said Foster's plea will bring some closure to family and loved ones with the defendant admitting his guilt in the senseless murder of Crisie Luebbers. The charges against Cayea, who also recently pleaded guilty to earlier drug cases, remain pending with a trial date scheduled for early April. Cayea, 42, faces 10 years in prison on the drug charges after pleading guilty to the local distribution of the highly addictive drug Fentanyl. Foster has also reportedly agreed to testify against Cayea, who has rejected plea deals in the case. Multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agencies participated in the investigation and arrests of Foster, Cayea and Harrigan. Harrigan has also pleaded guilty for her involvement in Luebber's death and will be sentenced in the coming weeks. Assistant District Attorney Vivian Joo assisted with the prosecution.

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Foster pleads guilty to first-degree murder

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