Judge denies bail for Rutherford

Local News

Discussion

September 1, 2006

Proceedings start in 20-year-old Ridgeway murder case

By Holly Weber/weberh@gnnewspaper.com The Journal-Register Fri Sep 01, 2006, 12:02 PM EDT

ALBION — Paul Rutherford Sr. will await his murder trial without the benefit of bail.

Rutherford, 54, was arraigned on a charge of second-degree murder Thursday in Orleans County Court. He is accused in the 1986 slaying of Ridgeway teen Randy Neal.

Over his attorney’s objections, Judge Robert Noonan ordered Rutherford held without bail.

Attorney Fonda Dawn Kubiak argued Rutherford poses little flight risk because of his ties to the area.

“He has five children and seven grandchildren,” Kubiak said. “For the majority of his life he has resided in the Middleport-Barker area.”

Rutherford has relatives he could live with and family members who would be willing to post property to secure his release, Kubiak said. She requested Noonan set a $100,000 bond.

“This charge is a 20-year-old homicide. He’s remained in the area,” she said. “He’s known he has been under investigation by the United States Attorney’s office for at least three years. ... He has no reason to flee.”

Niagara County Assistant District Attorney Holly Sloma objected, saying Rutherford’s criminal history dates back to 1971 and encompasses 11 arrests and eight convictions including felony burglary.

Rutherford’s alleged involvement in other crimes — such as stealing marijuana plants and the arson of a pick-up truck — have come to light during the investigation, Sloma said, and his behavior in that time suggests he’s a flight risk.

Rutherford fled officers in December 2004, when a grand jury issued a subpoena ordering him to give DNA samples in the Neal investigation, Sloma said.

“He has run. He is no stranger to the criminal justice system and is no friend to the criminal justice system.”

When he was indicted, Sloma added, Rutherford was living in the garage of an acquaintance with no phone number, no employment and was estranged from many family members.

Rutherford’s next court date is Oct. 17.

Randy Neal, 19, was found dead in his family’s Murdock Road home in July 1986; his throat had been slashed and his body was riddled with stab wounds.

Harry N. Ayrhart was convicted of murder in 1987 and is serving a sentence of 25 years to life.

Neal had been set to testify against Ayrhart in a burglary case. Police said Ayrhart and Rutherford were friends at the time of the murder.

Contact Holly Weber at (585) 798-1400, Ext. 2225.

Text Only

Local News

Test story
May 24, 2012
Market on Main will offer fresh produce, baked goods

Medina’s Main Street has more than its fair share of spots to pick up prepared food, but starting this summer there will be a place to buy artisanal bread and locally-grown produce.

Dave and Bonnie Reigle have operated a produce stand on their Ridge Road farm for 17 years. They plan to open Reigle’s Market on Main in the former Whole Nine Yards and be open year-round as a bakery and produce store.

April 18, 2012
Lyndonville BoE approves budget propositions

The Lyndonville Board of Education approved the four propositions district residents will vote on May 15, including the school’s $12,964,687 budget.

The 2012-13 budget decreases spending by 1.28 percent, but the property tax levy will rise by 1.95 percent to $4,620,374. The estimated property tax rate is $18.40, an increase of 1.38 percent and a bump of a quarter for every $1,000 of assessed property value.

April 18, 2012
Medina BoE OK's budgets for May 15 vote
Medina Central School District residents will have the option this May to vote for a budget that does not raise the property tax levy next year, but does increase the district’s budget by 1.74 percent.

April 18, 2012
Ridgeway sets public hearings
The Ridgeway Town Board will hold two public hearings at its next meeting on May 21.

April 18, 2012
Hoag will host STEM summer camp
The Hoag Library in Albion isn’t set to open until the weekend after Independence Day, but preparations are well underway for a two-week summer camp for a select group of Albion students.

April 16, 2012
Growing like a weed
The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Home and Garden Show had a new home this year, and a record crowd came out to Knowlesville for helpful advice, information about local businesses and organizations, and a wide range of activities, promotions and giveaways.

April 16, 2012
Village budget talks continue

Medina’s 2012-13 budget is coming together at a series of meetings between department heads and village board members that largely focus on projected spending plans and areas where cuts can be made and additional revenue can be found.

The board met Monday with Police Chief Jose Avila, who said his department budget will be less than the current year despite increasing salaries and associated benefits.

April 16, 2012
Hoag Library era nears in Albion
The transition of Albion's long-time library to a modern South Main Street facility is quickly approaching, which had the Swan Library Board of Trustees discussing the closing of the current library in early June, a month of movement and plans to resume service at the new Hoag Library on the day after the facility's July 7 grand opening at their Wednesday meeting.

April 13, 2012
Pillars hosting Titanic evening

The extravagant experience that the high-class passengers enjoyed on the first and final voyage of the RMS Titanic will be replicated in a dinner at The Pillars Estate’s new ballroom this weekend.

The Pillars echoes the luxury liner’s grand staircase and chandelier, with historic touches throughout the restored County House Road mansion’s ballroom.

April 13, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Judge denies bail for Rutherford

Proceedings start in 20-year-old Ridgeway murder case

Site Map

Contact Us