Milton man testifies in own defense in manslaughter trial

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- It was a day of graphic testimony in the trial of Ronald Rayher of Milton. Rayher testified in his own defense in Saratoga County Court on Thursday.

Rayher was charged with manslaughter and tampering with physical evidence in the death of Thomas Krider, also known as TJ Greene. Krider was a well-known Elvis tribute artist from Ticonderoga.

In April 2024, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible death at a house on Middle Line Road in Milton, which was Rayher's home. Rayher was indicted by a grand jury in September, and rejected a plea deal in November.

Rayher is accused of administering chloroform to Krider as part of their sexual roleplay, which resulted in Krider’s death. He is also accused of not immediately calling authorities afterwards and tampering with evidence.

In his testimony on Thursday, Rayher testified for hours about his relationship with Krider, saying that on April 5, 2024, he gave Krider chloroform and tied him up in Rayher’s basement consensually.

Rayher said after Krider was unconscious he went upstairs from the basement to prepare Krider food. The defendant testified that there were scissors in the basement if Krider awoke and chose to free himself. Rayher said when he returned, Krider was unconscious and could not be resuscitated.

He further testified that he panicked, not because he thought did anything criminal but he feared the scandal of his gay bondage affair with a married man. So, Rayher cleaned up the scene and declined to call 911.

Rayher said that he later told authorities the truth, and was shocked to be arrested because he didn't think he did anything criminal. The prosecution in this case dove into the pair's sexual relationship and interrogated Rayher about his practices with Krider and their use of chloroform.