Status Hearing for Man Suspected of Town of Ripon Man's Murder
Hearing scheduled for January 4th.
Another status conference has been scheduled in the case of the 83-year-old Marathon County man suspected of the 1995 murder of James “Jim” Ruhland.
Jerome Baier was in Fond du Lac County Court Monday. Baier’s attorney said he is still reviewing evidence in the case and needed more time. A status conference is scheduled for January 4th.
Baier is charged with first-degree intentional homicide. He is being held in the County Jail on a $1 million cash bond. James Ruhland’s body was never found. When he went missing in October of 1995 he and Baier were roommates in a farmhouse on Cork Street Road in the Town of Ripon.
According to the criminal complaint Baier told investigators Ruhland had stolen $1,200 from him and owed him money for rent, phone and other bills. But financial records showed Ruhland was up to date on his bills and child support.
A check Ruhland’s mother sent him for $2,500 Baier signed as Ruhland and deposited into his own account. He was prosecuted for that theft and the theft of another small check sent to Ruhland.
Ruhland was in the process of moving into another residence in Kiel when he disappeared.
Bob Nelson is News Director in Ripon, and the voice of newscasts on WRPN and WAUH. Email him at bob.nelson@civicmedia.us.