Judge to make decision in murder trial


By Andy Gates - Argus Observer
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 11:22 AM PDT


VALE - The fate of a young mother accused of killing her 3-year-old step-son last summer will be determined by a judge, and not a jury, later this month in Malheur County Circuit Court.

Marisol Sedano-Ruiz, 20, was charged almost one year ago with murder and first degree criminal mistreatment in the death of her husband’s child, Roberto Lee Ruiz.

Sedano-Ruiz pleaded not guilty to the allegations, and Monday she requested a judge, and not a jury, render a verdict in her case.

Malheur County Circuit Court Judge J. Burdette Pratt signed off on the request Tuesday, finding that her waiver of a jury trial was “intelligent, knowing and voluntary,â€