Murder suspect may wear shock belt
WELLSBURG, W.Va. – A West Virginia prosecutor wants a Washington County murder suspect who fled a psychiatric hospital for three days to wear a shock belt during his trial.
The Intelligencer-Wheeling News Register reports Brooke County prosecutor Joe Barki made the request in a motion filed Friday ahead of Rocco Zuccaro’s trial.
Barki said the shock belt would be worn under Zuccaro’s clothing and out of sight to the jury or media. He wrote the belt will ensure the defendant does not again become a flight risk.
Zuccaro, 29, formerly of Smith Township, escaped from William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital in Weston, W.Va., March 23. He was found March 25 near a natural gas drilling site in nearby Jane Lew, W.Va. Zuccaro climbed a 15-foot brick wall, ran across a yard and climbed over a chain-link fence when he escaped from the facility.
Zuccaro is accused in the shooting death of 30-year-old Jason Lee Pratz in McKinleyville in February 2013. Zuccaro was at the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation before the start of his trial.