MARTINSBURG, W. Va. — A Georgia man has been found guilty in the 2021 death of a man on I-81 near Falling Waters.
Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney Catie Wilkes Delligatti
tells The Panhandle News Network Harold Dexter Rue, 67, of Snellville, Georgia, was found guilty Wednesday of First-Degree Murder
and Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony after a two-day trial. A day later, Rue was sentenced to life in prison without mercy.
The December 7, 2021 shooting claimed the life of Reynaldo Gonzalez Mediavilla.
On Thursday, the jury returned to consider sentencing and mercy.
Prosecutors detailed that Rue was previously convicted in California of Second-Degree Murder, sentenced to prison and
released, subsequently convicted of Kidnapping to Commit Robbery, and later released again. Rue was reportedly
also the primary suspect in an armed robbery that occurred in
Chesterfield, Virginia, on December 5, 2021.
Prosecutors ” urged the jury to consider Rue’s violent criminal history,
the callousness of the murder of Mr. Mediavilla and the lasting impact his death will have on his
family, as well as the jury’s opportunity to ensure that Rue never has the opportunity to hurt anyone
else.”
“After a short deliberation, the jury returned a verdict recommending that Rue be sentenced to life
without mercy, meaning that Rue will never be eligible for parole. Prior to the commencement of
trial, Rue also pleaded guilty to one count of the felony offense of Prohibited Person in Possession
of a Firearm.”
Rue is set to be formally sentenced June 5th in front of 23rd Judicial Circuit Judge Michael D.
Lorensen.
A press release from Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney Catie Wilkes Delligatti says the sheriff’s department was assisted in the
investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police, who apprehended Rue after he fled the scene.
Prosecuting Attorney Catie Wilkes Delligatti and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Raymond E. Boyce, Jr.
prosecuted this matter on behalf of the State.
Ms. Delligatti says she would like to thank the investigators and the jury for carefully
weighing the evidence and providing a verdict that achieves justice for not only the victim and his
family, but also for the Berkeley County community.