On Tuesday, Jan. 2, the Superior Court of Justice in L’Orignal ordered a test for the man accused of murdering Jewell Langford, also known as the Nation River Lady, to determine whether or not he is fit to stand trial.
The results of the analysis will determine whether Rodney Nichols, 81, is able to stand trial given the state of his mental health, as he is now suffering from dementia.
Nichols is accused of strangling Langford and dumping her body in the Nation River near Casselman on May 3, 1975.
On Friday, Dec. 1, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) coordinated with the U.S. Marshal Service to bring Nichols to court in Casselman. OPP officers travelled to Florida to interview Nichols in July 2023 and collected DNA back samples which were then compared to blood found on a cloth used to bind Langford’s body.
The lack of adequate technology at the time of her death delayed the identification of Langford, who was long known as the ‘Nation River Lady’ until police identified her remains in 2020.
Nichols made a virtual appearance at the Ontario Court of Justice in L’Orignal on Saturday, Dec. 2. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 26.
