Demolition Ahead for Binghamton House Where Girl Was Killed

The building on Binghamton's North Side where 12-year-old Cheri Lindsey was killed more than three decades ago will be torn down soon.

The Broome County legislature has approved the purchase of the run-down vacant house at 6½ Sturges Street for $25,000. The county plans to have the structure demolished and replaced with a community garden.

Cheri Lindsey was collecting payments on her Evening Press newspaper route when she vanished on March 26, 1984.

The girl's body was found more than 24 hours later in the basement of the Sturges Street home. James Wales Sr., who was convicted on murder and rape counts in the case, was sentenced to 33 years to life in prison.

David Lindsey, Cheri's father, said he and his wife are happy that the house where their daughter died will soon be gone.

Lindsey said the place has been unoccupied for years. He said people who had lived there after Cheri's death reported some strange and unexplained occurrences that frightened them.

Lindsey said some in the neighborhood had called the place the "Sturges Street Ghost House."

Lindsey said the current owner, Paul Manuszewski of Kirkwood, apparently was unaware of the horrific crime that had occurred in the house before he bought it. Manuszewski could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Broome County Excecutive Jason Garnar said with the property purchase approved, bids will be sought for the demolition.

For Lindsey and his wife, removal of the house may bring some additional closure. He said he would like to see it torn down on March 26. That will be the 36th anniversary of his daughter's death.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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