Statements accused murderer made to police after arrest can't be used in trial, Putnam County judge says

9/20/2013

OTTAWA, Ohio — Putnam County Common Pleas Judge Randall Basinger has ruled that statements that accused murderer Michael Aaron Fay made to police the day after his arrest cannot be used at trial.

According to the decision released Thursday, investigators did not read Mr. Fay his Miranda rights on May 10 when he was interviewed by a county sheriff's deputy and Ottawa police officer at the sheriff's office.

Mr. Fay, 18, is accused in the shooting deaths of Blake Aaron Romes, 17, and his brother, Blaine Romes, 14. He faces aggravated murder and other charges in their May 9 deaths.

Judge Basinger said in his ruling that statements the teenager made to police on May 9 to Detective Roy Sargent at the Columbus police station can be used if the case goes to trial.

Information obtained from Mr. Fay in that interview led authorities to finding the boys' bodies.