Prosecution rests in North Ridgeville man’s murder trial

The prosecution rested after the second day of testimony Nov. 2 in the murder trial for Randy E. Hamilton in Lorain County Common Pleas Court.

Hamilton, 51, of North Ridgeville, is accused of killing his 45-year-old live in girlfriend, Michelle L. Ryals, on Oct. 25, 2016.

He is facing two counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault and single counts each of weapons under disability and receiving stolen property.

The first witness of the day was Scott Ryals, the victim’s ex-husband who now lives in Indiana.

Ryals said the two separated amiably after Michelle Ryals filed for divorce. He said the two stayed in touch and would text each other regularly.

According to Ryals, he only spoke to Hamilton once when some of Michelle Ryals’ mail was delivered to the home they shared while married.

Ryals described Hamilton as belligerent.

“He became very belligerent, (it was) basically a profanity-laced discussion,” he testified.

Ryals said he still maintained contact with the victim, but a week before the murder, she informed him Hamilton had discovered some of their text messages and was angry.

He testified that she told him Hamilton may come to his home, but Hamilton never did.

Under questioning from Lorain County Assistant Prosecutor Anthony Cillo, Ryals testified he did text the victim on the morning of the murder, but was hesitant to, because he didn’t want to cause problems between her and Hamilton.

Defense attorney Kenneth Lieux then questioned Ryals, who testified the victim told him she moved in with Hamilton for financial reasons and to “help him out.”

The next prosecution witness was George Fuge, fixed base operator for MRK Aviation.

Fuge said Hamilton had worked for the company as a maintenance worker, but would not have had access to the shotgun that was used in the murder.

He testified the shotgun was used by previous administrators of the Lorain County Airport as a means to scare birds from the runway. Now, MRK uses a different device that looks like a pistol, he said.

Fuge said the shotgun was missing in a January 2016 inventory, but when asked, Hamilton claimed to have no knowledge of its whereabouts.

Also testifying was Dr. Frank Miller, chief deputy coroner with the Lorain County Coroner’s Office.

Miller said the forensic analysis of the gunshot wound showed Michelle Ryals was shot from above and to her left.

He said the buckshot pellets continued through her body and many were found lodged in her lower right side.

Miller testified the gun would have only been a few feet from the victim when she was shot due to stippling, or unburned gunpowder, found around the entrance wound, and the fact the shot cup, or wadding, was found in the body.

According to prosecutors, Hamilton was jealous over the text messages between Michelle Ryals and Scott Ryals and afraid the two would kick him out of the house.

The defense has argued both Hamilton and Michelle Ryals were drunk and the gun accidently went off while Hamilton attempted to take the cocked shotgun away from her

he defense will present its case at 9 a.m., Nov. 3, before Common Pleas Judge John R. Miraldi.