Ohio ex-cop's recent death linked to 1979 shooting

COLUMBUS (AP) — A coroner says the death of a former Columbus police officer this year is a homicide linked to a shooting 31 years ago that left the officer paralyzed from the waist down.

The Columbus Dispatch reports a coroner issued the homicide ruling Thursday in the Jan. 20 death of 61-year-old Tom Hayes.

Franklin County prosecutor Ron O’Brien says his office will determine whether to file another charge against Ronald McClary, who was 16 when he allegedly shot Hayes during a scuffle in a convenience store in 1979.

McClary was tried as an adult and convicted of felonious assault and carrying a concealed weapon. He served almost 24 years in prison and was released in 2004.

Hayes worked as a civilian sketch artist for the police from 1986 to 1997.