Attorney Ralph Meczyk said his client, 25-year-old Cameron Ruebusch, of 299 Brantwood Ave., Elk Grove Village, shot 36-year-old postal worker Stephen Casazza of Arlington Heights in self defense and said he was confident Ruebusch would be found innocent.
“We vehemently deny any wrongdoing,” Meczyk said Wednesday. “He denies he had any intent to hurt anyone. It was self defense.”
“The government proved by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant is a danger to the community and that no condition or combination of conditions would reasonably assure the safety of the community,” Federal Magistrate Judge Sheila Finnegan said in her Wednesday, Jan. 15 written response to Ruebusch’s oral motion he be released with conditions. “Defendant shall remain in custody until further order of the court.”
Meczyk and Des Plaines-based attorney Sam Amirante took over as lead co-counsel for Ruebusch last Friday, Jan. 11. Ruebusch was initially represented by attorney John Sullivan who withdrew from the case.
The criminal complaint filed by federal prosecutors says Casazza’s unmarked red postal minivan was parked in front of Ruebusch’s home at about 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31. After finishing deliveries on the block, court records say Casazza closed the rear door to the van and got behind the wheel. Ruebusch then tapped on the front passenger side window of the van and said something to the effect of “What’s up?”
Court records say after Casazza saw Ruebusch with a handgun in his left hand, he immediately put the van in gear and drove off.
“As the victim drove away, s/he heard one gunshot and then felt a warm and wet feeling in his/her right shoulder. At that time, the victim realized s/he was shot. The victim pulled over, exited his/her vehicle, and sought the assistance of neighboring residents,” the federal criminal complaint states.