A retired New York chiropractor was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter on Friday in the case of a Ticonderoga Elvis impersonator who died during sexual roleplay last year.Top video: See previous coverageA jury found 71-year-old Ronald Rayher guilty of recklessly causing the death of Thomas “TJ” Krider, a North County man and prominent entertainer who died after he was dosed with homemade chloroform during a consensual sexual encounter in April 2024.The Albany Times Union reports that Rayher left Krider’s body in his basement for four days before going to police. He was also found guilty of tampering with evidence after he worked to get rid of the victim’s belongings and cover up the incident. Rayher’s attorney argued that Krider was responsible for administering the chloroform himself, but the jury did not agree with that assessment and found him guilty. The prosecution argued that as a doctor, Rayher understood the risk of using chloroform during the sexual encounter and ensured Krider beforehand not to worry about the risks.Krider, who worked under the stage name TJ Greene, was a popular impersonator who also worked at the Star Trek Tour in Ticonderoga as a guide. He was initially reported missing by his wife, Heidi Greene a day after he left home to pick up a free box spring from someone in exchange for helping them move some furniture.Saratoga County Undersheriff Jeffrey Brown confirmed that Rayher and Krider had been in a relationship with one another for around 10 years.The verdict came after a two-week jury trial. Rayher previously rejected a plea deal last November that would have seen him serve between 3-10 years in prison, the Times Union reported.However, the second-degree manslaughter conviction means he will now face up to 15 years behind bars.His sentencing is scheduled for July 8.Editor’s note: The Times Union is owned by NBC5’s parent company, Hearst Corporation.
A retired New York chiropractor was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter on Friday in the case of a Ticonderoga Elvis impersonator who died during sexual roleplay last year.
Top video: See previous coverage
Advertisement
A jury found 71-year-old Ronald Rayher guilty of recklessly causing the death of Thomas “TJ” Krider, a North County man and prominent entertainer who died after he was dosed with homemade chloroform during a consensual sexual encounter in April 2024.
The Albany Times Union reports that Rayher left Krider’s body in his basement for four days before going to police. He was also found guilty of tampering with evidence after he worked to get rid of the victim’s belongings and cover up the incident.
Rayher’s attorney argued that Krider was responsible for administering the chloroform himself, but the jury did not agree with that assessment and found him guilty. The prosecution argued that as a doctor, Rayher understood the risk of using chloroform during the sexual encounter and ensured Krider beforehand not to worry about the risks.
Krider, who worked under the stage name TJ Greene, was a popular impersonator who also worked at the Star Trek Tour in Ticonderoga as a guide. He was initially reported missing by his wife, Heidi Greene a day after he left home to pick up a free box spring from someone in exchange for helping them move some furniture.
Saratoga County Undersheriff Jeffrey Brown confirmed that Rayher and Krider had been in a relationship with one another for around 10 years.
The verdict came after a two-week jury trial. Rayher previously rejected a plea deal last November that would have seen him serve between 3-10 years in prison, the Times Union reported.
However, the second-degree manslaughter conviction means he will now face up to 15 years behind bars.
His sentencing is scheduled for July 8.
Editor’s note: The Times Union is owned by NBC5’s parent company, Hearst Corporation.
