Wrongfully Silenced. Unstoppable Hope.

Robert J. Ruark terminated his trial attorney, Chris Cicero, months before trial. Despite this, Cicero misrepresented his status to the court and was allowed to continue representing him. As a result, the jury never heard testimony from key defense eyewitnesses, and no defense case was presented.

Cicero was later disbarred by the Ohio Supreme Court after findings that he falsified information to courts for personal gain and posed a danger to the public.

Critical evidence supporting self-defense was never considered by the jury. Under current legal standards, Robert’s actions would be evaluated very differently today. Instead, he was convicted and sentenced to life.