Convicted Trumbull murderer faces new charge of assaulting prison inmates with shank

A convicted murderer from Trumbull County who is already facing other aggravated and capital murder charges in the August 2023 beating death of a Southern Ohio Correctional Facility inmate, is now facing new felony charges.

The case involves an incident at the same Scioto County prison where a 4 1/2-inch shank was involved.

Austin Burke, 25, was indicted by a Scioto County grand jury on seven felony charges; two counts of second-degree felonious assault, two counts of possession of a deadly weapon while under detention, both first-degree felonies and single charges of intimidation, extortion and inducing panic.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the incident and no court has yet been scheduled. Burke is facing a July 22 jury trial for the capital murder charges involving the beating death of inmate Ruben Melendez at the prison.

Melendez, 65, of Arizona, had died of head trauma after being taken to a hospital following an altercation at the prison. Burke was sentenced to a 30-year-to life prison sentence for the 2017 killing of 22-year-old Brandon Sample in the Trumbull County community of Bristolville.

Burke was also convicted of robbing the Cortland Pizza Joe store.

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