Crown, defence recommend judge find alleged ‘Nation River Lady’ killer not fit to stand trial

Lawyers for the Crown and the defence are recommending accused killer of Jewell Parchman Langford be found not fit to stand trial. CTV’s Katie Griffin reports.

Lawyers for the Crown and the defence are recommending the accused killer of Jewell Parchman Langford, who for decades was known only as the “Nation River Lady,” be found not fit to stand trial.

Rodney Nichols, who is in his early 80s, appeared virtually in a L’Orignal, Ont., courtroom Monday afternoon for a hearing to determine whether he’s fit to stand trial.

Langford, a 48-year-old businesswoman from Tennessee, was last seen in Montreal in April 1975.

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In May 1975, a farmer near Casselman found the body of a woman in the Nation River, but a link was never made.

Despite efforts by authorities to identify the woman, including sketches, a 3D facial reconstruction, and a dedicated tip line, she remained unidentified for decades.

In 2019, the OPP enlisted the help of the DNA Doe Project, a volunteer group in the United States. Using DNA provided by police, they searched for potential family members who uploaded their own genetic information to a database and were eventually able to identify the “Nation River Lady” as Langford.

Police then worked with multiple agencies to find Langford’s alleged killer.

Nichols was 81 years old and living in Florida when he was arrested and charged with Langford’s murder. He was extradited to Canada in 2023.

Laura Metcalfe, Nichols’s lawyer, told court he has dementia, among other ailments.

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On Monday afternoon, assistant Crown attorney Louise Tansey said both the Crown and defence are jointly recommending the judge find Nicols not fit to stand trial.

Tansey said a number of fitness reports will be filed with the court, along with video statements Nicols made to investigators.

Members of Langford’s family have travelled to L’Orignal for the hearing. Her niece is also expected to deliver a victim impact statement.

The hearing in front of Superior Court Justice Brian Holowka continues Tuesday.