HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that an Indiana County jury convicted Ronald Lee Weiss of first-degree murder for killing Barbara Bruzda — nearly 50 years after the 16-year-old girl was beaten to death.
Weiss, 78, was previously convicted of the same charge and sentenced to death, but that conviction was vacated by a federal district court.
On Thursday evening, following a four-day trial, the jury convicted Weiss — who faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 30.
Investigators argued Weiss bludgeoned the girl to death with a tire iron, before dumping her body in a ditch.
“For years, Barbara’s family and friends have dealt with heartbreak and the anguish of not knowing if their loved one’s killer would be held responsible — we hope the jury’s verdict provides a measure of relief,” Attorney General Sunday said. “This is the second set of jurors who heard all of the facts in this horrific case and came to the identical conclusion: Ronald Lee Weiss is a cold-blooded killer.”
The Office of Attorney General presented evidence this week that Weiss was one of the last people seen with Barbara in October 1978, as the two played pool together at a bar then attended a party.
On March 20, 1979, Barbara was found dead in a ditch off a gravel road, a few miles from the party location and Weiss’s home.
There was also testimony that when Weiss returned home after the party his vehicle was covered in blood.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry and Senior Deputy Attorney General Kara Rice.
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