Robert Ruark’s Case: A Tragic Miscarriage of Justice

Robert rushed to his mother’s home after learning his siblings were being assaulted by armed, intoxicated neighbors. A verbal altercation had escalated into violence, and upon arrival, Robert fired warning shots. When a gun was pointed at his younger brother’s head and threats escalated, Robert—fearing for their lives—fired in self-defense. Police arrived moments later.

A Quiet Evening Nearby
Robert is spending the evening with his partner Sheri, her younger sister Stephanie, a work colleague, and the colleague’s daughters, Amber and Amanda, just a few streets away from his mother’s home. Their evening is relaxing and involves dinner and a few quiet drinks.

Dylan’s Birthday
Robert’s brother, Dylan, had spent the evening watching the fireworks display with family friends for his 16th birthday.

Family at Home
Robert’s sister Nicci and her boyfriend had a quiet evening at home. Jeni, Robert’s mother, had worked that day and returned home to rest.

The Party Next Door
Aaron Beckhon and his friends spent the day drinking and using drugs to celebrate Chad Wolford’s birthday. They returned to Aaron’s home and continued partying and shooting firearms in the backyard.

The Pickup
Jeni asked Nicci and her boyfriend to collect Dylan and his girlfriend from the family friend’s home. It was now dark, and she worried about Dylan walking in a dangerous neighborhood.

Conflict Ignites
As Nicci and her boyfriend pull into the driveway, one of Aaron’s friends accuses them of running over his foot. The claim—unproven and unlikely due to the hedge line separating the properties—leads to a verbal altercation.

Violence Breaks Out
Nicci shouts back in defense of her boyfriend. Chad approaches the car, leans in, and punches her in the face. A physical confrontation follows involving Chad, Aaron’s group, and Robert’s siblings.

The Call for Help
Robert receives a frantic call from his mother that his siblings are being attacked by their violent neighbor. Motivated by duty, he rushes to their aid, knowing how dangerous these people can be. Robert stops to retrieve firearms for protection.

Warning Shots
Upon arriving, Robert sees all the partygoers staring at him menacingly. Robert fires warning shots into the air and enters his mother’s home with Sheri, her sister, and the colleague’s daughters.

The Confrontation Resumes
The shots prompt Aaron and his group to return to Robert’s family’s yard. Robert hears yelling, opens the front door, and asks, “Who punched my sister?” Chad replies, “I did.”

Gun Drawn
Robert steps outside to confront Chad. Aaron emerges from the hedge line with a gun pointed at him. Robert raises his hands and says he is unarmed.

Escalation
Chad tries to punch Robert, who deflects it. Jeni runs outside, places herself between Aaron and Robert, and tries to push Robert inside.

Dylan Under Threat
Dylan had come out to defend Robert but is knocked to the ground and assaulted by Chad and Christopher Starr. Aaron walks over and points a gun at Dylan’s head.

A Protective Plea
Robert runs inside, grabs his gun, and yells from the door, “Get the fuck off my brother!” Dylan retreats. Aaron lowers his weapon.

Final Confrontation
Chad advances aggressively, yelling “Shoot him, Aaron! Shoot him!” and appears to reach for a weapon whilst walking closer to Robert. Fearing for his life, Robert shoots Chad. Aaron fires at Robert, who returns fire.

After the Gunfire
Robert closes the door, squats down and begins to reload, while he looks outside and sees chaos and people running.

A Red Truck Moves
A red truck begins backing out of Aaron’s driveway. Fearing a drive-by, Robert yells for everyone to clear the living room but when he turns around he notices nobody is there.

Police Arrive
Robert looks again and sees flashing lights—police have arrived. Relief sets in.

Shock and Aftermath
Robert opens the door, overwhelmed as adrenaline fades. Remembering he is on probation and not allowed to possess a firearm, he runs to the bathroom and vomits—finding several friends and family members hiding there in fear.

Disoriented and overwhelmed, Robert found himself in an interrogation room with two detectives. Unaware that anyone had died, he initially denied involvement—driven by fear. Only after giving a false statement did officers inform him of Chad’s death, triggering a deeper wave of shock. Emotionally shut down, he could no longer speak.

While in jail, Robert called his children’s mother, Sheri. She answered frantically, crying that Aaron had tried to kill her and a friend by shooting at them while chasing them down Webber Road. Sheri called the police, and Aaron was arrested shortly afterward. Robert listened helplessly.

With the charge of murder weighing heavily, Robert presented self-defense. He was hopeful the court would grant bond, particularly since the deceased was out on bond for attempted murder and Aaron had recently been released for trying to kill Sheri. The events occurred on Robert’s mother’s property, and it seemed clear that self-defense was at play. Robert was not granted bond.

Robert’s family retained Chris Cicero, a seasoned attorney, who assured Robert that he had done nothing wrong and would be released. Cicero explained a self-defense strategy, and Robert believed he could trust him.

Despite the isolation of county jail, Robert stayed focused. In just a few months, he earned his GED—his highest level of education, having previously only completed the 6th grade. He felt proud and briefly liberated from the despair around him.

Robert and Sheri had kept their pregnancy private. While incarcerated, Robert learned that his daughter Autumn was born. Missing her birth and those early fatherly moments was deeply painful. He longed to be present, to hold her, feed her, and comfort her.

After a year in jail and no bond, Robert began questioning Cicero. Despite promises, Cicero demanded more money and had not delivered on expectations. Friends and family who had interacted with him grew concerned about his capabilities.

Cicero and his private investigator visited Robert to discuss trial strategy. To Robert’s shock, Cicero demanded he accept a plea deal, contradicting their earlier self-defense plan. The PI, however, believed there was a viable self-defense case, and they agreed to proceed with that strategy

After discussing concerns about Cicero with his family over the phone, Robert was unexpectedly placed in solitary confinement—isolated, without phone access—on the day trial was set to begin. Cicero had requested this restriction and a continuance.

With only two 15-minute visits per week, Robert communicated to Sheri that he was officially firing Cicero. He wrote a formal letter, and Sheri began the search for a new attorney.

Months in solitary confinement took a severe toll. Deprived of contact, light, and stimulation, Robert began to feel hopeless. He even found comfort in things that once repulsed him, like the smell of his unwashed body. The days blurred into despair. The UN defines solitary confinement exceeding 15 days as a form of torture.

Despite having been fired, Cicero arrived for a legal visit just days before trial. Robert stood his ground, reiterating that Cicero would not represent him. The interaction lasted only a few minutes before Cicero left.

Robert, still in solitary and emotionally broken, was brought to court. Despite insisting Cicero had been fired, the judge accepted Cicero’s word over Robert’s silence. Fearful that an emotional outburst would harm him, Robert couldn’t express himself. The trial proceeded with Cicero still representing him. All 10 subpoenaed witnesses who supported Robert’s self-defense were barred from testifying or even entering the courtroom for the duration of the trial.

A juror asked whether self-defense was permitted in Ohio, revealing the assumption that Robert had killed Chad. The judge responded that self-defense was permitted, but it was unclear if it applied to this case.

During Aaron’s testimony, he admitted Chad had punched Robert’s sister. The jury seemed disturbed by the testimony. Robert felt hope—until Cicero passed him a note asking if he still wanted to claim self-defense. Robert replied “YES!”

After testifying in Robert’s trial, Aaron accepted a plea deal for a suspended sentence and probation, despite his extensive violent history. He would violate probation multiple times but after many changes, only be required to serve less than two years.

Despite everything, Cicero urged Robert not to pursue self-defense. Cicero claimed the State had not proven its case and warned that pursuing self-defense would mean admitting to the killing. Cicero ultimately refused to present self-defense, and Robert—afraid and broken—relented.

The jury found Robert not guilty of purposeful murder but guilty of felony murder and two other charges. With no one there to speak for him, and Cicero silent, the judge imposed the maximum sentence: 31 years to life. No mitigating evidence was presented, Cicero failed to notify Robert’s family and friends that they were now allowed into the courtroom, whilst they stood outside, unaware of a verdict or sentencing.

Upon arrival in prison, Robert was dehumanized and stripped of his dignity through the initial cavity searches and being told he is now to be known as a number. The cold reality of long-term incarceration set in.

Seeing his children again for the first time since July 2008 brought joy and pain. Their grandfather brought them, and hope flickered as they discussed an appeal. Yet it was clear the family was hurting.

With no funds left, the court appointed appellate attorney John Keeling to Robert’s case. Keeling insisted on arguing that Cicero had been court-appointed, not privately retained, which Robert expressed was untrue. Despite Robert’s protests, Keeling proceeded with that claim, assuring him it was the best path to a new trial.

Because post-conviction motions were not covered by his attorney, Robert—despite limited education—attempted to file his own legal arguments. The process was overwhelming.

Robert’s third Christmas in incarceration felt different. He had hope ease—his appeal and post-conviction were now submitted. Prison offered more freedom than county jail, Robert embraced the small joys like fresh air, phone calls and contact visits again.

Robert rushed to collect his legal mail, convinced it would be the moment of vindication. But as he unfolded the letter—hoping for relief—the decision was clear: “DENIED.” Despite citing case law and mimicking the correct legal phrasing, his motion fell flat. In hindsight, it read more like a copy-and-paste effort than a persuasive legal argument due to his lack of education.

The appellate court denied his appeal, incorrectly labeling him indigent. Robert had already warned his attorney not to make that argument. His worst fears were realized, leaving him feeling hopelessness and despair.

Aaron, after multiple violations, was finally incarcerated—but served less than two years. Robert remained behind bars with a life sentence and upon hearing that news found the whole situation painfully ironic.

The Ohio Supreme Court declined to hear Robert’s case. The decision was soul crushing.

Desperate to escape his reality, Robert made wine and was caught. He was placed in solitary again and banned from visits for 6 months. Robert said “What hurt the most was not seeing my children, drinking may help leave reality, but you always return. It’s not worth it, I haven’t made wine or drank since”.

Robert reached out to the Innocence Project, which turned him away, stating they only deal with “actual innocence”. Similar responses would come from many legal organizations after.

With no attorney available, Robert filed his federal appeal himself, racing against the one-year deadline.

Chris Cicero was suspended from practicing law for violating ethical rules. Robert felt vindicated, but courts ruled the misconduct was unrelated to his case.

After years of good behavior, Robert’s security level was reduced. He transferred to a lower-security facility.

London Correctional had a different environment. Robert was eager to engage in programs and work. He was grateful to now be in a safer environment.

Persistent, Robert earned a position making 29¢ an hour. It brought back a sense of self-worth.

New regulations barred prisoners with long sentences from working certain jobs. Robert was devastated.

That same day, the school principal offered Robert a position. He worked for the guidance counselor and became an ESL tutor, helping fellow prisoners grow.

A program called Philosophy of Science changed Robert’s life. He developed a passion for learning and critical thinking.

The final federal appeal was denied. Robert was dismayed and began questioning himself.

Cicero forged a court document and refused to admit guilt. He was indefinitely suspended.

Despite Cicero’s repeated misconduct, Robert’s motion to reconsider his case was dismissed. Robert allowed his mind to fly with ideas of freedom only to crash back in prison.

Robert began to build a meaningful life in prison. He became Vice President of a prisoner group focused on reducing recidivism through criminal justice reform. They would also hold fundraisers and donated to charities, which gave Robert’s life more purpose.

Through the Inside-Out program, Robert studied philosophy alongside college students. He thrived academically and socially.

Hearing from victims of violent crime brought home the deep impact of Chad’s death. Robert began to start understanding the far-reaching consequences.

Through teaching and mentoring, Robert became a guiding presence in the prison community. He helped others realize their potential and in return this helped Robert heal and grow.

Robert became a lead participant in a dog training program, logging over 4,000 hours. He learned discipline, empathy, and resilience while training animals from traumatic backgrounds.

The state finally disbarred Cicero for years of misconduct. For Robert, it was a bittersweet moment—proof of corruption, but no relief for his case.

Policy changes now allowed Robert to enroll in college. He began working towards an Associate of Science in Applied Business.

The pandemic mirrored the isolation of prison life for the outside world. In prison, COVID hit hard. Many inmates became gravely ill. Robert witnessed the trauma firsthand.

Robert created a profile in search of a platform to share his lived experiences and perspectives through constructive critique. He longed for purpose beyond the prison walls. Through research, Si came across his profile and was inspired by Robert’s story. Having a family member who had also been over-sentenced, she felt compelled to create a docuseries that would portray the humanity in prison—something rarely done by mainstream media. However, Robert, initially uncertain about participating in a documentary, declined. Communication between them paused for a time.

As schools shifted to hybrid learning, Robert’s youngest daughter, Autumn, began struggling academically. With minimal instruction at home, her grades slipped—unusual for her. Robert remembered sending her $50 for a previous good report card, and the distance between them felt heavy. Determined to support her, Robert began calling her daily during school hours. He guided her patiently through assignments, encouraging her to rework problems without giving away the answers. Their bond grew stronger, and her academic performance improved. Despite the prison walls, Robert embraced the warm fulfillment of fatherhood.

Robert committed fully to his education, earning a 4.0 GPA and making the President’s List every semester. On graduation day, with all four of his children in the audience, he delivered a speech thanking them for grounding him and giving his journey purpose.

Although Robert couldn’t be there in person, he took immense pride in Kayla’s milestone. He knew she carried him in her heart as she crossed the stage, a reflection of his love, guidance, and enduring presence in her life.

Robert completed 56 hours of peer support training through the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services. As one of the first people new prisoners now meet, he strives to uplift and inspire them to embrace positive change. His authenticity and compassion make a lasting impact.

After saving $5,000 through dog training work and COVID stimulus funds, Robert fulfilled a dream of giving his children a wider world. He sent his two eldest children and their grandfather to Italy, Germany, and France—a gift that expanded their horizons and left a lasting impression.

After logging 2,000 hours of hands-on experience, Robert completed his Peer Support Apprenticeship. The milestone brought a deep sense of fulfillment and pride.

Robert and Si had been talking for months, their conversations growing deeper. After learning about Robert’s story, Si suggested pursuing clemency and making a documentary to raise awareness. Initially hesitant, Robert agreed, trusting her vision and sensitivity.

As interviews unfolded, Robert was confronted with a reality he had never imagined. The people he loved most had been suffering in silence, their lives altered by trauma and addiction. It was a truth they had hidden from him—one that left him heartbroken and helpless.

Robert watched his son’s graduation via video call with pride and tears. He had long encouraged self-reflection and emphasized education. As the crowd cheered, Robert felt the joy and pride of a father whose values had taken root in his son.

Encouraged by Si and his daughter, Robert retained attorney Spencer Cahoon to lead his clemency effort. With truth, the documentary, and growing support, Robert began to feel a renewed sense of hope.

Robert’s eldest daughter launched a petition in order to gain support for Robert’s clemency.
https://www.change.org/freerobert2026

Si and Robert’s children joined a Cleveland rally for wrongful convictions. It was the first time an organization publicly affirmed Robert’s innocence, marking a turning point in advocacy efforts.

Robert underwent a professionally administered polygraph and eye detect examination and passed with 97% certainty. The test affirmed that Aaron had aimed a gun at him and Dylan, and that Robert’s attorney had been fired before trial.

With sworn witness statements, a passed polygraph, and evidence of Cicero’s disbarment, Robert and his team filed for clemency. Every detail was carefully strategized to present the strongest case possible.

The very judge who sentenced Robert now supports running his sentences concurrently. That endorsement marked a major milestone—one of rare vindication and hope for freedom.