Man indicted in shooting of Ohio officer, could face death

COLUMBUS (AP) — A grand jury has indicted a man in the fatal shooting of a Columbus police officer with charges that carry the possibility of the death sentence.

The indictment handed up today against 44-year-old Lincoln Rutledge includes aggravated murder, attempted murder, felonious assault and aggravated arson.

He is accused of shooting Columbus SWAT officer Steven Smith in the head while officers were trying to arrest Rutledge on an arson warrant.

The 54-year-old Smith died two days after being shot April 10 while standing in the turret of a SWAT vehicle.

Ohio law includes killing a police officer as a factor that can lead to capital punishment.

Messages seeking comment on the indictment were left with the public defenders who have been representing Rutledge.