WV SUPREME COURT ORDERS NEW TRIAL FOR RONNIE RUSH - Court Indicates Calhoun Trooper Tainted Jury

(11/19/2009)
What appears to be an never-ending criminal case against Calhoun resident Ronnie Rush continues.

The WV Supreme Court has reversed Rush's conviction a second time, following an appeal by his defense attorneys.

Rush was first charged and convicted for the gruesome murders of Ward Groves and Mary Hicks in 2003, after which a new trial was ordered because of problems created by the WV State Police during their investigation.

The Circuit Court of Jackson County, in that re-trial, found Rush guilty of two counts of voluntary manslaughter, one count of robbery, one count of burglary, and one count of conspiracy.

The Supreme Court's latest ruling is based on impropriety caused by Calhoun State Policeman Cpl. Doug Starcher, who commiserated with jury members during a lunch break, the court essentially indicating he tainted the jury.

Rush will now go to trial a third time.

More to follow...