Year-old Fergus murder trial delayed due to defense continuance request

The trial of Walter Chruby, the suspect in the murder of a former member of the State College Planning Commission, has been delayed once again at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte.

The murder trial, originally scheduled to begin Feb. 12, was delayed until June 11 at the request of the defense, Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar said.

"The defense asked for a continuance," Gricar said.

Chruby, 33, was charged with the September 1995 murder of Ruth Fergus, who was a West College Heights resident.

The trial was delayed previously because a DNA analysis had not returned from the Washington D.C. crime lab in time for the original trial date.

-- by Kristin Walpole