Thrusday, December 24, 1998
Middletown man pleads insanity in slaying
BY STEVE KEMME
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON — Richard Bainum's mental condition has become a focal point in his murder case.
Mr. Bainum, who is accused of strangling a woman on Nov. 6 after a sexual tryst, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity at his arraignment Wednesday.
“I don't think this is a case of murder,” said his attorney, Craig Hedric. “His psychological state has a lot of bearing on what happened that day.”
The body of Sandra Ronto, 51, was found at the bottom of a stairway in Mr. Bainum's Middletown apartment building.
In previous testimony, police said Mr. Bainum told them he strangled Ms. Ronto with her purse straps and then stuffed her body into his closet. Police think he moved her body to the bottom of the stairs the next day.
If convicted, Mr. Bainum, 25, could be sentenced to life in prison. He is being held in the Butler County Jail in lieu of $1 million.
At Mr. Bainum's pretrial hearing, Mr. Hedric asked Common Pleas Judge Anthony Valen for a lower bond. The judge said Mr. Hedric and Assistant Prosecutor Rick Hyde should discuss Mr. Bainum's bond. If they can't agree on a lower bond, a hearing will be scheduled.
Police said Mr. Bainum told them he thought it was permissible to kill Ms. Ronto because she was having sex with him even though she was married.
Ms. Ronto had lived with a man for about nine years, but she was not married, police said.
Mr. Hedric said Mr. Bainum has a history of psychological problems. “He has been in mental institutions several times,” he said.
Judge Valen ordered Mr. Bainum to undergo a forensic evaluation. The results will be discussed at a Jan. 28 court hearing.
Mr. Hedric declined to talk about possible motives, but said the tragedy occurred because of Mr. Bainum's psychological condition.
“I don't think he purposely caused anyone's death,” he said.
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