More than a year and a half after two men were discovered dead inside a residence on Binghamton's West Side, the man accused of their killings has gone on trial in Broome County Court. Scott Mitchell, 50, faces two felony counts of second-degree murder following an extensive multi-state investigation and subsequent extradition from Florida.
The judicial proceedings officially commenced on Monday, Sept. 14, with the start of jury selection at the Broome County Courthouse. Following the selection process, the trial was scheduled to proceed before the court at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, marking a pivotal moment in a high-profile case that involved coordinated efforts across multiple law enforcement agencies.
The charges against Mitchell originate from the deaths of Daniel McCloe, 58, and Marshall VanOven, 55. Authorities established that both victims, who were acquaintances, lost their lives on Feb. 3, 2025, at a residential property situated at 11 Westwood Court in Binghamton.
The case first emerged as a missing persons investigation when McCloe and VanOven were reported missing by concerned parties on Feb. 3. Two days later, on Feb. 5, officers from the Binghamton Police Department traveled to the Westwood Court residence to follow up on the reports, leading to the discovery of both victims' bodies inside the home.
Law enforcement initially described the circumstances surrounding the discovery as suspicious in nature. The investigation intensified significantly on Feb. 6, 2025, after a forensic pathologist conducted formal examinations and officially ruled the manner of death for both men to be homicide.
Following the forensic determinations, detectives gathered evidence that led them to identify Mitchell as the primary suspect in the double slaying. On Feb. 8, the Binghamton Police Department issued a public release announcing that Mitchell was wanted for questioning, cautioning the public and surrounding law enforcement bodies that he was to be considered armed and dangerous.
Investigators soon determined that Mitchell had fled New York, sparking a regional manhunt along the East Coast. Later that same day, on the afternoon of Feb. 8, authorities in South Carolina confirmed a sighting tied to the fugitive. The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 2 p.m. call regarding a suspicious vehicle, impounded the car after confirming its connection to Mitchell, and warned local residents that he presented a serious threat.
The search expanded further south over the ensuing days, shifting the focus to central Florida. On Feb. 11, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office reported that Mitchell had been seen in another vehicle that was subsequently recovered by law enforcement. Authorities advised that the suspect had fled on foot and was believed to be navigating the West DeLand area.
In an effort to generate actionable leads and accelerate the apprehension, the Binghamton Police Department collaborated with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 12 to post a $10,000 reward for information leading directly to Mitchell’s arrest. The public appeal produced almost immediate results.
Within hours of the reward announcement on Feb. 12, sheriff's deputies took Mitchell into custody in Daytona Beach. The capture occurred after an observant AT&T utility worker spotted Mitchell panhandling on the street, recognized him from law enforcement alerts, and promptly contacted the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office with his location.
During a live-streamed press briefing later that day, Volusia County Sheriff Michael J. Chitwood commended the public and highlighted the role of extensive media coverage in resolving the manhunt. Chitwood explained that detailed photographs highlighting Mitchell’s physical features and distinct tattoos had been distributed to the public, proving instrumental in his identification by the utility worker.
Following his arrest in Florida, Binghamton detectives traveled south to arrange for Mitchell’s return to New York State to face formal prosecution. The extradition process culminated on March 18, 2025, when the Binghamton Police Department announced that Mitchell had been returned to local custody and formally charged with two counts of second-degree murder.
Mitchell made a subsequent appearance in Broome County Court for his formal arraignment on May 2, 2025. He has remained held within the judicial system as legal counsel on both sides conducted preliminary motions and prepared their respective cases for trial.
With the trial now underway in Broome County Court, jurors will evaluate the evidence collected by forensic specialists and multi-state investigators regarding the events that unfolded on Westwood Court and the circumstances surrounding the fatal double homicide.
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