Murder charges dropped against Fairmont man

FAIRMONT, W.Va. – On July 24 Clifton Ruggs, 27, was arrested and charged with first degree murder after allegedly choking his girlfriend, Crystal Stevens during an argument.

Deputy Chief Medical Examiner determined, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, that Stevens’ death was a suicide. As a result, after conferring with Stevens’ parents and both Chief Steve Shine and Detective Tyler Hall of the Fairmont Police Department, Marion County Prosecuting Attorney dismissed the first degree murder charge against Ruggs.

Officials say even though there was enough evidence from the scene to satisfy probable cause that Ruggs murdered Stevens, the autopsy report makes it very unlikely Ruggs would be convicted.

The initial report from police said Ruggs and Stevens had been drinking and arguing during the day and into the night. Preliminary reports indicated that Stevens suffered defensive wounds and Ruggs had scratch marks on his body.