MARIETTA, Ohio — An Ohio judge is demanding that 55 people who shirked jury duty in a high-profile murder case explain themselves or face contempt charges.
Washington County Judge Randall Burnworth wants those who skipped the selection process for the October trial of former sheriff’s Deputy Mitchell Ruble to appear before him Dec. 10.
Ruble pleaded innocent last year to an aggravated murder charge in the February 1981 shotgun slaying of an ex-colleague, Deputy Lt. Ray “Joe” Clark. Authorities say Clark fired Ruble for inappropriate conduct.
The case is being re-tried Feb. 29.