Ruskamp pleads not guilty to three charges

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Carl Ruskamp of Wisner attended his arraignment at the Wayne Courthouse Wednesday, where he pleaded not guilty to the three charges against him.

These include first-degree murder, use of weapon to commit a felony and possession of a firearm by prohibited person.

In September of 2022, Ruskamp allegedly shot his father, Gerald Ruskamp, in their home near Wisner.

Gerald was taken to Providence Medical Center where medical staff pronounced him dead, according to court records.

When police investigated the home, they also found a marijuana  growing operation on the property. Ruskamp waived his right to a speedy trial on the charge of possession of a controlled substance.

For his other charges, Ruskamp faces a lifetime sentence for the murder charge, a maximum of 50 years for the use of weapon charge and 50 years for unlawfully possessing a weapon.

He will return to the Wayne Courthouse on May 1 for a pre-trial hearing for both cases.