Bench trial set for Millersburg woman accused in Atwood Lake drowning

A bench trial has been scheduled for 10 a.m. March 3 for Ruth Miller, the Amish woman from Millersburg who is accused of drowning her 4-year-old son in Atwood Lake Aug. 23.

Common Pleas Judge Michael Ernest is expected to issue a verdict on Miller’s guilt or innocence at the end of the bench trial.

At a pre-trial conference Tuesday, Miller, 40, waived her right to a jury trial.

Prior to the bench trial, Judge Ernest will review three mental health evaluations on Miller’s mental state.

“Those three reports all conclude or opine that Ruth Miller was not guilty by reason of insanity at the time of the conduct in this case and could not appreciate the wrongfulness of her conduct at that time,” one of Miller’s defense attorneys, Ian N. Friedman of Cleveland, told the judge at the pre-trial conference.

“Given the findings as all three opined for various reasons that Mrs. Miller did not appreciate the wrongfulness of her conduct and was suffering from a severe mental illness and defect at the time of the offense, given that we have decided to submit this case to you (Judge Ernest) for a non-jury trial for you to make an appropriate finding,” Assistant Prosecutor Fred Scott said.

Evidence that will also be presented will include various police reports from the incident and a zip drive containing statements that were made by Miller when she was questioned by law enforcement on the day of the incident.

On Aug. 23, deputies and Atwood Lake rangers responded to an incident where Miller and two of her children crashed a golf cart into the lake next to Atwood Marina West.

According to a press release from the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office, initial reports said Miller, following supposed directives from God, threw her 4-year-old son, Vincen, into the lake. Her husband, Marcus, 45, was also reported missing at the time.

The bodies of both Vincen and Marcus were later located at the bottom of the lake.

Marcus Miller had reportedly tried to swim out to a sandbar in the lake as a test of his faith in God but drowned in the effort.

Ruth Miller is facing seven charges, including aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, endangering children and three counts of domestic violence.

If Miller is found not guilty by reason of insanity, a placement hearing would be held 10 days lateron March 13 to determine what the most appropriate treatment for her would be. Caption for photo: Ruth Miller, 40, of Millersburg is led away to jail following a pre-trial conference in Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court, where she is facing several charges, including aggravated murder.