The Murder of Ronrico Shutes

For this case, I watched an episode of Deadly Women. It’s season 12 episode 2, titled ‘Kiss Then Kill.’ Ronrico’s story is the 3rd case that is covered.

A fight breaks out between a newlywed couple over custody of their child.

Background

In 2015, Ronrico and Ashley Shutes were married in what was described as a large wedding. They both had children from previous relationships and quickly had a daughter of their own. They moved into a home owned by Ronrico’s mother, Charlotte in Cleveland, Ohio.

A Broken Relationship

Just a few months into their marriage, Ronrico and Ashley were already having explosive arguments. Ashley had a violent temper and would publicly argue with Ronrico even in front of their children.

Ashley worked while Ronrico stayed home with their daughter. She would often hold this over Ronrico’s head.

Ashley contacted her mom about the problems in their marriage. Ashley blamed all of her problems on everyone else. She told her mom that Ronrico had hit her several times in the face while she held their daughter. There was never any proof that this was true.

The Argument

On May 28, 2016, Ashley and Ronrico had been fighting on and off all day over custody of their daughter. Ronrico had reminded Ashley that his name was on the birth certificate and told Ashley that their marriage was over.

Ashley took their daughter out of the house and into the car. Ronrico stood in front of the car to stop Ashley from leaving. Ashley ran over Ronrico, backed up, and ran over him again.

Ronrico’s nephew, who was 11 at the time, had witnessed the incident from the window. Some of the neighbors heard children screaming and called the police.

Ronrico was critically injured when the police arrived. However, he was able to tell the police that it had been an accident and that Ashley hadn’t seen him behind her car.

The Promise

Ronrico was rushed to the hospital. He was paralyzed due to severe fractures in his neck and chest. A breathing tube had to be inserted.

While in the hospital, Ronrico was able to tell his mom that what he had told the police wasn’t true. He begged her not to tell the police as this was not Ashley’s first offense.

In 2005, Ashley was convicted of misdemeanor assault and domestic violence. She had argued with her ex and the father of her other children and rear-ended him.

On June 10, 2016, 11 days after the hit-and-run, Ronrico succumbed to his injuries and passed away. Charlotte called the police and told them that Ronrico had been murdered by Ashley.

The Conviction

Ronrico’s nephew testified to what they had seen on May 28, 2016.

In 2017, Ashley Shutes was convicted of murder and felonious assault. She was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 15 years. She will be eligible for parole in 2031.

Other

In a letter written and signed by all 12 jury members, they criticized several Cleveland police officers. The police had written this off as an accident. A Cleveland firefighter pointed out that Ashley’s car had damage to the front of it. They said their criticism of the police officers did not affect their decision to convict Ashley.

Ronrico’s nephew was also not interviewed by the police despite being heard at the scene and on body camera footage saying that Ashley ran over Ronrico.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Ronrico didn’t intend for Ashley to go to jail. As he was dying, he was more concerned about the children than about himself. It’s heartbreaking to know that this incident was witnessed and will probably scare Ronrico’s nephew for life. Ashley may hurt someone else in the future if she is released and she is not afraid to use a vehicle as a weapon.

Sources

https://thecinemaholic.com/ashley-shutes-now-where-is-ronrico-shutes-killer-today/

https://thecrimereport.org/2017/03/24/murder-trial-jury-rips-cleveland-police-in-letter-to-judge/

https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2017/03/jury_that_convicted_cleveland.html

https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2017/03/cleveland_woman_who_almost_got.html