Judge Deliberates Ruling in Murder Case in Ozark County

After closing arguments concluded Thursday, Judge Calvin Holden will now determine the fact of a woman from Ozark County facing murder charges.

Rebecca Ruud is on trial facing first-degree murder charges in the 2017 death of her daughter, Savannah Leckie.

At the time of her death, Leckie was just 16-years-old.

Prosecutors in the case called several witnesses to the stand, including people who were inmates with Ruud, who say she admitted to the murder of her daughter. The former inmates also testified to some of the “gruesome” details Ruud shared with them.

Investigators also reported that they believe Ruud murdered her daughter before putting Leckie’s body in a burn pile to cover-up and destroy evidence.

Defense attorney’s argued that while Ruud did burn her daughter’s body, she did so only after Leckie had killed herself. Attorney’s say Ruud panicked after finding Leckie’s body.

Prosecutors say that Leckie was still alive at the time her body was put in the burn pile.

With the case now concluded, Ruud faces life in prison if convicted. Judge Holden says he will take time to deliberate, and will make a ruling in the coming weeks.