Verdict Rendered in Trial of James Ritenour III

James Ritenour III

A Starke County jury took just one hour to decide verdicts in the case of James Ritenour III.

The one-day trial occurred Wednesday in Starke Circuit Court and a 12 member jury found James Ritenour III not guilty on charges of Battery with a Deadly Weapon, a Class C Felony, and Criminal Recklessness, a Class D Felony. He was found guilty on two counts of Intimidation, as Class D Felonies, and one count of Interference with Reporting a Crime, a Class A Misdemeanor.

He was on trial on allegations that he held a knife to his mother’s throat and threatened her.  He also was said to have thrown her to the floor and  stomped on her.

Deputy Prosecutor Ryan Bratcher represented the State of Indiana in the case and Richard Ballard was Ritenour’s appointed attorney. The sentencing hearing has been set for May 24th at 10:30 a.m. CT in Starke Circuit Court.