Texas

Man sentenced to 2 years for 2020 ‘sudden passion’ murder in Austin

January 8, 2023

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A man was sentenced Friday to two years in a Texas prison in connection to an August 2020 fatal shooting in southeast Austin.

The murder charge for 39-year-old Michael Ruscoe was considered “under influence of sudden passion,” according to Travis County court records, which translated to a lesser sentence once he was convicted.

In December 2022, Ruscoe was found guilty of the murder of Derrick Amoriko. Court records showed Ruscoe pled not guilty prior to his conviction.

This was not a plea bargain case, according to sentencing documents, and Ruscoe has the right of appeal.


PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man found guilty of murder in 2020 southeast Austin shooting

In August 2020, the Austin Police Department said officers responded to calls after Ruscoe shot and killed Amoriko during a fight near the 6600 block of Janes Ranch Road. Records showed a grand jury indicted Ruscoe for the murder April 28, 2021.

 

Image of Michael Ruscoe (Travis County photo)
Image of Michael Ruscoe (Travis County photo)

by: Julianna Russ

Posted: Jan 8, 2023 / 01:48 PM CST

Updated: Jan 8, 2023 / 01:48 PM CST

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A man was sentenced Friday to two years in a Texas prison in connection to an August 2020 fatal shooting in southeast Austin.

The murder charge for 39-year-old Michael Ruscoe was considered “under influence of sudden passion,” according to Travis County court records, which translated to a lesser sentence once he was convicted.

In December 2022, Ruscoe was found guilty of the murder of Derrick Amoriko. Court records showed Ruscoe pled not guilty prior to his conviction.

This was not a plea bargain case, according to sentencing documents, and Ruscoe has the right of appeal.


PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man found guilty of murder in 2020 southeast Austin shooting

In August 2020, the Austin Police Department said officers responded to calls after Ruscoe shot and killed Amoriko during a fight near the 6600 block of Janes Ranch Road. Records showed a grand jury indicted Ruscoe for the murder April 28, 2021.

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


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