 Bobby Ray Shamblin of Rosedale Road appears to be the subject of a continuing investigation in the murders of Ward Groves, 69, and his ex-wife Mary Hicks, 60.
Judge David Nibert dismissed charges against Shamblin, 35, in December "without prejudice," which means they could be re-filed.
There are several indicators that officials still believe Shamblin was involved in the gruesome double murder.
Nibert's order indicated that Shamblin could still be a suspect, saying "The State further represents that there will be an extended delay in presenting the case (Shamblin) to a grand jury."
When Prosecutor Matt Minney gave his opening statement in the Ronnie Rush trial, Minney said "The State does not say Rush worked alone," but for now the focus is on Rush.
Rush was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the murder case in December, along with charges of burglary and larceny.
The initial case against Shamblin moved ahead with probable cause, but authorities could not produce sufficient evidence to place him at the scene of the crime. He was then released on bond.
State Police quickly arrested Bobby Ray Shamblin after the murders, and charged him the first degree murders of Ward Groves and his ex-wife Mary Hicks.
Officers appeared to believe the accusations of 16-year-old Ronnie Rush, who told authorities Shamblin held him at knife point while Shamblin shot the two victims.
The complaint said Rush was sleeping upstairs in the Groves house when "Shamblin entered the residence, brandished a knife and threatened Mr. Rush's life if he told about what he was going to do."
"Mr. Rush further stated Mr. Shamblin escorted him downstairs at knife point and shot both Ward Groves and Mary Hicks while they were sleeping in their beds."
"Mr. Rush further stated that Mr. Shamblin then forced him to carry items from the residence to an abandoned truck belonging to Mr. Rush which was parked in the driveway of Mr. Groves."
"Mr. Rush stated that he and Mr. Shamblin then drove to an unknown location on Stumptown Road and threw the two shotguns into the river."
Rush later gave numerous accounts of what happened the night of the murder, lowering his credibility as a viable witness.
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