Prosecutors don’t dispute insanity findings as mother’s murder case moves to bench trial
NEW PHILADELPHIA – Prosecutors are not disputing mental health evaluations that concluded the Holmes County mother who drowned her son at Atwood Lake in August was insane at the time.
Ruth Miller, 40, had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to aggravated murder and other charges stemming from her 4-year-old son’s drowning death at the lake on Aug. 23. Miller’s attorney, Ian Friedman, said three separate mental health evaluations determined she was not guilty by reason of insanity.
Prosecutor Fred Scott did not dispute the findings.
“All three opined … that Ms. Miller did not appreciate the wrongfulness of her conduct and was suffering from a severe mental illness or defect,” he said.
The attorneys agreed to proceed with a bench trial instead of a jury trial. They said they will not present any more evidence or witnesses.
Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Ernest will review the mental health evaluations, police reports and interviews and make a ruling on Tuesday, March 3.
Friedman said if Ernest agrees with the not guilty by reason of insanity plea, he will conduct a placement hearing for Miller.
Miller is charged with aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, domestic violence, endangering children and four other crimes for her actions on August 23rd when sheriff’s officials say she threw her 4-year-old son into Atwood Lake and drove a golf cart with three other children into the lake. Her husband also drowned at the lake earlier that weekend when authorities say he tried to test his faith with a long-distance swim.