Report: Trumbull County convicted murderer involved in jail fight that left inmate dead
A man convicted of a Trumbull County murder in 2018 reportedly was involved in a fight at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility that left one inmate dead.
Austin Burke, 25, and Ruben Melendez, 65, of Arizona, reportedly got into a fight that was broken up at the prison on Saturday, Aug. 12. According to a report from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Melendez was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead, with reports stating Melendez died from head trauma.
Report: Scioto County grand jury expected to hear case
The patrol report said the incident is being investigated as a homicide with Burke considered the main suspect. Once autopsy information is released, the patrol reported the case is expected to go before the Scioto County grand jury.
Burke was convicted in the June 12, 2017, aggravated murder of Brandon Sample, 22, of Warren. He was also convicted of a June 20, 2017, robbery of a Pizza Joe’s in Cortland. Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Andrew D. Logan sentenced Burke to 30 years to life in prison. Subsequent appeals filed by Burke in higher courts in that case have been upheld.
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