Ohio does not have a first-degree murder charge, but someone can still be charged with murder or manslaughter in the state. Recently, Brian Swanson, 48, was indicted on murder charges for the 2000 death of Ohio State student Charles “Chico” Ballard. Ballard was found shot multiple times and partially burned in a basement, prompting suspicion towards Swanson, a gas station clerk who had confrontations with Ballard. Swanson had attempted to use Ballard’s debit card shortly after the murder, further raising suspicions.
A Franklin County grand jury indicted Swanson on charges of aggravated murder and murder in connection with Ballard’s death. Ballard, a mechanical engineering student on a full academic scholarship, was last seen alive the day before his body was discovered. Detectives believed that Swanson lured Ballard into the building’s basement by cutting off the home’s electricity and that Ballard had lit a candle to find his way, inadvertently causing his own body to catch fire after being shot.
This case was featured on the Columbus Division of Police’s podcast, “The Fifth Floor,” in 2024. Despite the challenges in proving Swanson’s guilt, the indictment signals progress in bringing justice for Ballard’s death after more than two decades. This tragic case serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough investigations and persistence in pursuing justice for victims of murder.
