By John Futty, The Columbus Dispatch, and wire reports
COLUMBUS — A jury has recommended life in prison without parole for a man convicted of fatally shooting an Ohio SWAT officer during a standoff last year.
The jury could have recommended the death penalty Thursday for Lincoln Rutledge. The jury earlier this month found the 45-year-old Columbus resident guilty of aggravated murder and other charges in Officer Steven Smith’s death.
Rutledge’s parents cried tears of relief for their son and grief for the family of his victim after the jury returned its recommendation.
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The jury deliberated for about eight hours over two days before recommending that Rutledge, 45, be sentenced to life in prison without parole for purposely killing Officer Steven Smith during a standoff with SWAT officers last year. Smith, 54, was a 27-year veteran of the police force.
“Nothing will bring Steve back, and we’re so sorry,” Keith Rutledge said, his voice trembling as he stood outside the courtroom where the decision was announced. “His family has suffered severely, and we have, too.”
He said jurors apparently were sympathetic to testimony about his son’s mental illness. “We’re grateful for that and we want help for him.”
Rutledge’s defense team argued he suffers mental issues that affected his actions during the standoff, which lasted more than nine hours.
“It’s a heartbreaking thing on both sides,” said Monica Rutledge, the defendant’s mother. She said she prays daily for the Smith family and even for those who received organs donated after the officer’s death “so something could be redeemed through this.”
The officer’s family did not attend the announcement of the jury’s decision. Smith’s widow and his son, a Columbus police recruit, were in court last week when the jury convicted Rutledge of killing the officer and knowing that he was shooting at a law-enforcement officer.
Common Pleas Judge Mark Serrott said he will sentence Rutledge on July 18.
Authorities say Rutledge shot Smith in the head as officers were trying to arrest him on an arson warrant on April 10, 2016. Smith died two days later.
A message seeking comment from Rutledge’s attorney was left Thursday.