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Updated: 7:40 PM Jun 25, 2010
NEW INFO: Suspect Pleads Guilty in Calhoun Double Murder Case
Almost eight years after the deaths of couple from Sand Ridge, their loved ones were forced to face the man accused and relive their pain yet again.
Posted: 7:40 PM Jun 25, 2010Reporter: Jessica Ralston, Anna Baxter, John Green Email Address: jessica.ralston@wsaz.com, anna.baxter@wsaz.com |
(WSAZ Photo / John Green)
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4 Comments 
UPDATE @ 7:30 p.m.
CALHOUN, COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Almost eight years after the deaths of couple from Sand Ridge, their loved ones were forced to face the man accused and relive their pain yet again.
It was a walk out of the courtroom that didn't offer any sense of peace for those who have been forced to relive a painful past over and over again.
In 2003, Warden Groves and Mary Hicks were shot and killed in their sleep. It happened at their home in Sand Ridge, and Ronnie Rush was living with them at the time.
"My mother and stepfather would have done anything for him, or any of his family, or anyone else," the victims' daughter Rose Settoe said.
But instead Rush -- a teenager -- was charged with the murders.
"He was 15 years old -- a child. A child that just got forgotten," Rush's sister Frances Phyllis said.
When his case was moved to adult status, Rush was convicted of manslaughter. Rush appealed his case to the Supreme Court -- twice. He won both times.
After seven long years and several trials, he finally pleaded guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter.
"There's no words to explain how you feel," the victims' son Paul King said. "It's just terrible."
It was a move that failed to bring a complete sense of closure to loved ones on both sides of the court battle.
"I don't think it's fair," Settoe said. "I don't think it's fair."
Phyllis said, "I just hope society gives him a chance. He was 15 years old and, you know, where's his justice? Justice hasn't served anyone."
Because that's where both sides agree, saying two others were involved in the murders, but Rush was punished alone.
Rush has to undergo a mental evaluation before he is sentenced. If he is sentenced to the minimum, technically he could be released from prison immediately because he's already served seven years.
One other man was charged in the double murder -- Bobby Shamblin. We tried to find out his status Friday, but our calls were not returned.
ORIGINAL STORY
CALHOUN COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A man charged in a double murder in Calhoun County could spend up to 60 years in prison.
Ronnie Rush is accused of murdering Warden Groves and Mary Hicks in their Sand Ridge home. The crime happened in 2003.
During a hearing Friday, Rush pleaded guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter.
The judge sent Rush to the Anthony Center to be evaluated before he is sentenced. A sentencing a date has not been set.
Rush was 16 at the time of the murders. When his case was moved to adult status, he was convicted of manslaughter.
Rush faces six to 60 years in prison.
Rush has been convicted by a jury twice on charges that were later dismissed.
During Rush's first trial, the jury found him guilty of voluntary manslaughter, nighttime burglary, conspiracy and robbery.
After the trial, his lawyer filed an appeal with the Supreme Court to dismiss the conviction because he didn't feel a statement that Rush made to a state trooper following his arrest should not have been used during the trial. The high court ruled in Rush's favor and the convictions were dismissed.
Rush was later convicted again during his second trial on first degree murder, but his lawyer filed yet another appeal with the Supreme Court and won.
Rush's attorney claimed a trooper made comments about Rush that were unrelated to the trial, but jurors were nearby. The judge didn't find a violation, but the Supreme Court disagreed and dismissed the trial.
Bobby Shamblin was also charged in the double murder. No immediate information on where his case stands.
Latest Comments
ok, this is my grandfathers brother & sister that this boy killed and i feel reguardless of how old he was why should that matter he killed them y they were sleep & he lived in there house while they was taking care of him now if this was anyone elses family & they were in this prediciment how would you feel? thats someone's family member and he killed them for money thats not cool he did that to them so he should pay the consiquensis he knew what he was doing. now my granfather has no brother or any family besides his son and granddaughter. so i think justice needs to be served and He needs to do the time and pay for what he did. his family can still see him but my family can't see theres.
Yet another example of justice being blind. Murdering someone should equal death.
Only 7 years for a double homicide? 3.5 years per victim? Just enough time with like minded aggressors to learn even more criminal behavior and to get even angrier at society and to make some "good" friends to associate with on the outside. When will we learn?
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