A Marion County jury has returned guilty verdicts Wednesday in the aggravated murder trial of Raymond Bertuzzi, according to Marion County Prosecutor Brent Yager. Bertuzzi was on trial for being the actual killer in the murder-for-hire scheme resulting in the homicide of Amy Aldrich on February 8, 2012.
The jury on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 returned verdicts of guilty on all six counts presented by prosecutors, including two counts of aggravated murder, one count of murder, two counts of aggravated burglary, and one count of having a weapon under disability.
Following the guilty verdicts, Marion County Common Pleas Judge Jim Slagle revoked Bertuzzi’s bond and stated his sentencing hearing will be scheduled for next week. Bertuzzi faces the possibility of a life sentence without eligibility for parole.
Yager said he is grateful for the fine work of the Marion Police Department in investigating the case and the Ohio Bureau of Identification and Investigation laboratory for providing scientific analysis and expert testimony.
“I would especially like to commend the work of Major Bill Collins, Lt. Chris Adkins, and detectives Ben Graff, Brian Liston, Dave Troutman, and Dan Ice for their relentless and outstanding work in the days, weeks, and months following the murder,” stated Yager. “Successful prosecution in this case would not have been possible without their considerable effort and cooperation.”
The other man implicated in the murder of Aldrich, 25-year-old Bo Cook, is already in prison after pleading guilty to charges of Voluntary Manslaughter, Having a Weapon under Disability, and Tampering with Evidence. He was sentenced on September 24, 2012 to 20 years in prison.
Following Cook’s sentencing, Yager had explained that the decision to offer him plea deal was made after thoroughly reviewing the evidence, evaluating the possible risks and outcomes of a trial, and after discussing the matter with members of the victim’s family.
As part of the plea agreement, Yager said the Prosecutor’s Office will oppose any attempt at early judicial release, meaning that Cook will spend the whole time behind bars.
You can read more about Cook’s sentencing by clicking here.
30-year-old Aldrich was the mother of three children including a young daughter she shared with Cook. She was originally from the Marion area, but recently was living in Paulding County. She was back in the Marion area to attend a hearing related to the custody her daughter with Cook when she was murdered.
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