More than 100 Wayne County residents gathered at Wayne Community Schools on Monday as jury selection got underway in the murder trial of Carl F. Ruskamp.
After a day-long process, 12 jurors and three alternates were selected and the trial then moved to the Wayne County courtroom.
Tuesday morning began with the excusing of one of the previously selected 12 jurors.
It had come to the court's attention that one of the 12 selected had told another potential juror that they were unsure if they could be fair.
When questioned by Judge Long, the juror said they should have told someone about their concerns, but did not.
At that point, Judge Long excused the juror and brought in one of the alternates to serve on the jury.
Opening statements by both the state and the defense took place on Tuesday morning the case involving the charges against Carl F. Ruskamp.
Ruskamp is accused of killing his father, 65-year old Gerald Ruskamp of rural Wisner on Sept. 7, 2022.
After seating a jury of seven women and five men, District Judge Michael Long gave directions to the group, stressing the fact that the defendant is "innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
Judge Long then read the charges against the defendant, Carl F. Ruskamp. These include: Count I - Murder in the First Degree, a Class 1 A Felony; Count II - Use of a Firearm to Commit a Felony, a Class 1 C Felony and Count III - Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Prohibited Person, a Class 1 D Felony.
Ruskamp pleaded not guilty to all of these charges.
Opening statements by the state included the fact that Carl Ruskamp had "opportunity and controlled rage." He also used the vulnerability of his father, Gerald Ruskamp, who was described as a "kind guy who rarely said 'no' when his son asked for something."
The opening statements by the defense asked the question "who killed Gerald Ruskamp?" noting that there were two people on the property at the time of the murder - Carl F. Ruskamp and his uncle (Gerald's brother) Duane Ruskamp.
The defense also said that all the information about what happened prior to the shooting came from Duane Ruskamp, who said he didn't hear the two gunshots that were fired at the time of the incidents.
Carl Ruskamp's mental health was part of the defense's opening statement, noting that Carl had trouble recalling things accurately due to having been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic prior to the shooting.
Following opening statements, the state called two members of the Wayne Sheriff's Department - Deputy Daniel Claussen and Sheriff Jason Dwinell to the stand.
Both testified to an incident that happened on Aug. 5, 2022 just over a month before Gerald Ruskamp was killed.
At that time, the Sheriff's department responded to the Ruskamp residence south of Wayne, near the Cuming County line.
When they arrived at the home, they found damage to the door that led to Carl's bedroom and a loaded magazine of a Rugar 10/22 rifle on a dresser.
Carl was taken into emergency protective custody at that time.
The trial for Carl Ruskamp could last up to two weeks. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison without parole, plus an additional 100 years.
