A man has been convicted for the second time of killing a teen girl in Indiana County.
Thursday, an Indiana County jury convicted Ronald Lee Weiss of first-degree murder in the death of 16-year-old Barbara Bruzda, according to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
Weiss, 78, was previously convicted of the same charge and sentenced to death, before a federal district court vacated the conviction, the AG’s office says.
“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,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave 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.”
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Prosecutors say Weiss bludgeoned Bruzda to death with a tire iron and dumped her body in a ditch.
The AG’s office argued that Weiss was one of the last people seen with Bruzda in October 1978, after the two played pool at a bar and then went to a party.
Individuals testified that Weiss’ vehicle was covered in blood when he returned from the party, the AG’s office says.
On March 20, 1979, Bruzda was found dead a few miles from the party’s location and Weiss’ home.
Weiss faces a mandatory life sentence without parole. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 30.
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