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Thread: Alfred Rutherford Pleads Guilty and Gets LWOP in 2014 OH Slaying of Lacey L. Rutherford and Steve Watkins

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    Alfred Rutherford Pleads Guilty and Gets LWOP in 2014 OH Slaying of Lacey L. Rutherford and Steve Watkins


    Lacey L. Rutherford and Steve Watkins




    Father indicted in fatal shooting of daughter

    A Hamilton man accused of fatally shooting his 29-year-old daughter and her boyfriend at his home faces the death penalty if convicted.

    A Butler County grand jury indicted Alfred Rutherford Wednesday on charges of aggravated murder, murder and a weapons violation.

    Rutherford, 55, has been held since last week at the Butler County Jail in lieu of $2 million in bail.

    He is scheduled to be arraigned on the upgraded charges at 10 a.m. Friday in Butler County Common Pleas Court.

    Police said Rutherford, who spent time in prison in the 1990s on a robbery conviction, fired the fatal shots while his grandson was having a sleepover with friends at the Hilda Avenue home.

    Lacey L. Rutherford, who lived in the home with her father, was found shot to death in a hallway when police arrived at 2:24 a.m. June 18.

    PREVIOUSLY: Kids at sleepover in home at time of double homicide

    During the search of the home by officers, a second victim, Steve Watkins, 41, of Wilmington, was found dead of a gunshot wound in a bedroom. Rutherford fled the home and was taken into custody about 8 hours later at Joyce Park.

    Authorities have declined to discuss a motive for the killings. The aggravated murder charge involves Watkins' death, which prosecutors said was planned.

    Rutherford's wife called 911 after the killing and said he fought with their daughter and then shot her in the neck, leaving her body in a hallway, according to a recording of the 911 call.

    Police said several children were in the home at the time of the shooting – Lacey Rutherford's children and others there for a sleepover.

    http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news...ins/11350743/#
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    Sleepover shooting suspect appears on capital charges

    A Hamilton man accused of gunning down his daughter and her boyfriend while his grandson was having a sleepover pleaded not guilty to the charges Friday in his first court appearance since being indicted.

    Alfred I. Rutherford, 55, faces the death penalty if convicted in the shotgun killings of his 29-year-old daughter, Lacey Rutherford, and her boyfriend, Steve Watkins of Wilmington.

    Both were staying at Alfred Rutherford's Hilda Avenue home, where police said Lacey Rutherford's son was having a sleepover for friends at the time of the shooting.

    A Butler County grand jury indicted Alfred Rutherford on Wednesday on charges of aggravated murder, murder and a weapons violation.

    Alfred Rutherford, a convicted robber, remains at the Butler County Jail in lieu of $2 million in bail. He is being represented by two lawyers – Greg Howard and David Washington – because he faces the death penalty.

    Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser had asked that Alfred Rutherford be held without bond, alleging he intended "to blow Steve Watkins' head off."

    Lacey L. Rutherford, who lived in the home with her father, was found shot to death in a hallway when police arrived at 2:24 a.m. June 18.

    Alfred Rutherford fled the home and was taken into custody about eight hours later at Joyce Park.

    Authorities have declined to discuss a motive for the killings. The aggravated murder charge involves Watkins' death, which prosecutors said was planned.

    Alfred Rutherford's wife called 911 after the killing and said he fought with their daughter and then shot her in the neck, leaving her body in a hallway, according to a recording of the 911 call.

    Watkins' father and a handful of supporters for Rutherford were in court Friday but declined comment.

    http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news...kins/11471733/
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    Trial date set for Hamilton man accused in double slaying

    By Lauren Pack - Staff Writer

    HAMILTON — A trial date has been set for a man accused of shooting his daughter and another man on June 18.

    Alfred Rutherford, 55, is charged with aggravated murder and murder for the shooting deaths of Steve Watkins and Lacey Rutherford, his daughter. He faces the death penalty if convicted of Watkins’ murder and 15 years to life if convicted of killing his daughter.

    Butler County Common Pleas Judge Keith Spaeth set Jan. 26 as a trial date for Rutherford, who is being held in the county jail in lieu of a $2 million bond.

    According to prosecutors, Rutherford told Hamilton police officers he intended to kill Watkins by blowing his head off.

    The indictment that was handed down last month by a Butler County grand jury also charges Rutherford with two gun specifications, having weapons under disability, and for being a repeat violent offender. Rutherford has previous felony convictions, including for robbery.

    Lacey Rutherford was shot multiple times, once in the throat with a shot gun, and Watkins, 41, of Wilmington, was shot once in the head with a shot gun, according to court records.

    Hamilton police were called to the 2700 block of Hilda Avenue at about 2:30 a.m. June 18 after receiving a 911 call from Robin Rutherford, wife of Alfred and mother of Lacey.

    Robin Rutherford told dispatchers, “My husband killed my daughter.”

    Lacey Rutherford was found in the hallway. Watkins was found in a bathroom after police searched the home. Several children were in the house when the shooting happened, including Lacey Rutherford’s 6-year-old son, who could be heard crying in the 911 call.

    Rutherford, who fled after the shooting in a red Escort, was arrested at about 11 a.m. in Joyce Park off River Road. He was taken into custody without incident while walking along Joe Nuxhall Boulevard and he was not armed, police said.

    Alfred Rutherford, known as “Ike” to friends, had 17 cases in Hamilton Municipal Court dating back to 1989. Some of those charges include OVI, obstructing official business, drug abuse and robbery.

    Lacey Rutherford had five cases in Hamilton Municipal Court dating back to 2012. Charges included theft, driving under suspension, drug abuse and possession of drug abuse instruments.

    The day before her slaying, Lacey Rutherford appeared in municipal court on a charge of drug paraphernalia. The case was continued.

    http://www.journal-news.com/news/new...double-/nghT4/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
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    Interrogation tape OK in trial of man accused of shooting daughter

    By Lauren Pack
    Staff Writer

    HAMILTON — A three-hour police interrogation tape recorded just after an early morning double-fatal shooting will be allowed as evidence in the upcoming capital murder case of a Hamilton man accused of shooting his daughter and another man in June.

    Alfred Rutherford is facing an aggravated murder with a death specification for allegedly shooting Steve Watkins to death June 18. Rutherford was also indicted for murder for the shooting death of his daughter, Lacey Rutherford. That charge carries the possible sentence of 15 years to life.

    Rutherford’s attorneys Greg Howard and David Washington argued Wednesday in Butler County Common Pleas Court that Rutherford’s rights were violated when officers improperly read Miranda rights to Rutherford before the interrogation.

    After playing a portion of the interrogation tape in court, Judge Keith Spaeth determined Rutherford’s rights were not violated.

    Rutherford’s trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 26
    . He remains housed in the Butler County Jail in lieu of $2 million bond.

    http://www.journal-news.com/news/new...ed-of-s/nhtyN/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Alfred Rutherford: Attorney for accused killer claims Miranda rights were not properly conveyed

    By Jay Warren

    HAMILTON, Ohio – The attorney for double murder suspect Alfred "Ike" Rutherford says his client was not aware of his rights before he signed them away.

    Rutherford is accused of killing his daughter Lacey Rutherford and her boyfriend Steve Watkins last June.

    Police say Rutherford shot them in front of a house full of people, including children.

    His lawyer admitted Wednesday that Rutherford signed a document stating he had been read his Miranda rights.

    But he said the back page, which acknowledges that he waived his right to attorney, was never read or made clear.

    Ultimately the judge denied the motion to suppress Rutherford's statements.

    Any admission that he might have made will now be admissible in court.

    Rutherford is charged with two counts of aggravated murder.

    His trial is set for January.

    http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/...perly-conveyed
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  6. #6
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    Edited:

    Accused killer too ill to stand trial, attorney says


    By Lauren Pack
    Staff Writer

    HAMILTON — A 55-year-old Hamilton man accused of killing his daughter and her friend may be too sick to stand trial in January, his attorney said.

    Alfred Rutherford, who is charged with aggravated murder and murder for the shooting deaths of Lacey Rutherford and Steve Watkins, was scheduled to go on trial Jan. 26 in Butler County Common Pleas Court. But his attorney, Greg Howard, filed a motion Tuesday asking for a continuance because Rutherford is suffering from liver failure and other ailments that have caused him to be hospitalized.

    “It is anticipated that it will be necessary for the defendant to be hospitalized on a regular basis to meet his medical needs, meaning he will not be available for trial for the foreseeable future,” Howard said in the motion.

    A hearing is scheduled for Thursday before Judge Keith Spaeth, but it is unclear what will occur because Rutherford remains hospitalized.

    Rutherford faces the death penalty if convicted of Watkins’ murder and 15 years to life if convicted of killing his daughter.

    http://www.journal-news.com/news/new...ney-say/njT6c/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Hamilton father sentenced to life in prison in daughter’s death

    By Denise G. Callahan
    Staff Writer

    BUTLER COUNTY — A 56-year-old Hamilton man told a judge heroin was at the root of family problems that lead him to shoot and kill his daughter and her friend, just before he was sentenced life in prison without parole.

    Alfred Rutherford was charged with aggravated murder and murder for shooting Lacey Rutherford and Steve Watkins to death with a 12 gauge shotgun on June 18. It apparently took viewing gruesome evidence photos Tuesday morning to get Rutherford to accept a plea offer from the prosecutor’s office, which been on the table since June 27.

    “I seen them pathetic pictures this morning and it broke my heart,” Rutherford told Judge Keith Spaeth on Tuesday.

    His attorneys Greg Howard and David Washington said they weren’t sure the plea deal would actually happen and they wanted to make sure their client understood what he was up against if he went to trial on Jan.26.

    “By the end of the week this plea offer was not going to be available,” Howard said. “I just wanted to make sure he was able to make his decision knowingly and intelligently and voluntarily as to what to do. We had shown him all the evidence in this case months ago and once again wanted to reiterate to him, this is what that jury is going to see and the prosecutor is going to get up and call you a monster.”

    Rutherford is suffering from cirrhosis of the liver and his prognosis is not good, according to his attorneys.

    Prosecutor Mike Gmoser told Spaeth that Rutherford gunned down his daughter at around 2 a.m. and then went hunting for Watkins, hence the death penalty specification.

    Howard said Rutherford’s daughter had moved back in with the family and was letting friends in the house to steal things. He said the fight that sparked the killings was over a gun Rutherford thought Watkins had with him in the bedroom. Rutherford blamed heroin for the family’s troubles.

    “This is what heroin’s done to my family and it’s getting worse all around Hamilton, it’s destroying our hometown,” he said. “I don’t like to be a martyr. I didn’t have no choice.”

    Lacey Rutherford, 29, was found in the hallway. Watkins was found in a bathroom after police searched the home. Several children were in the house when the shooting happened, including Lacey Rutherford’s 6-year-old son, who could be heard crying in the 911 call.

    Rutherford, who fled after the shooting in a red Escort, was arrested at about 11 a.m. in Joyce Park off River Road. He was taken into custody without incident while walking along Joe Nuxhall Boulevard, and he was not armed, police said.

    Rutherford, known as “Ike” to friends, has previous felony convictions and 17 cases in Hamilton Municipal Court dating back to 1989, including for OVI, obstructing official business, drug abuse and robbery.

    “It’s a sad day, it’s a day Ike knew was coming,” Washington told the judge. “To be quite honest with you, he is quite a different individual than you see in the paper; he is quite engaging. He seems like a nice guy who just made a terrible, terrible choice one day and it’s affected a lot of people.”

    Gmoser said he sees things differently.

    “While heroin is indeed a scourge in our society, heroin was not the cause of this offense,” he said. “This was a choice made by this defendant in a sober moment. While he may have been upset with his daughter and upset with his daughter’s friend, he still became the judge, the jury and their executioner.”

    http://www.journal-news.com/news/new...-in-dau/njm5x/

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