Man arrested for 1998 murder
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Charges have been filed against a man who police believe killed another man on April 1, 1998. Investigators cracked the cold case Wednesday.
36-year-old Bernard McClaney faces a murder charge. Police believe he killed 19-year-old Artie Rittenhouse in 1998. Rittenhouse's mother found him dead in their family's home on Hamilton Avenue in Fort Wayne. According to the affidavit for probable cause, his mother found a black bag near his body that did not belong there. Officers collected it back in 1998. There was not DNA and fingerprint testing available back then.
A new detective was assigned to the case in 2009. That detective sent the bag in for DNA testing and to get any fingerprints off of it.
While police waited for the results, police learned the nickname of the killer, "Sabu." After more investigating, they found Sabu's real name was Bernard McClaney.
The results from the DNA testing at the Indiana State Police Laboratory came in September 2011. Testing revealed McClaney committed the murder.
Witnesses also helped police link McClaney to the crime.
They told police Rittenhouse and McClaney were trading an amp for some marijuana and cash.
McClaney is serving time in prison in Toledo, Ohio for aggravated battery and voluntary manslaughter .
NewsChannel 15's Megan Reust spoke with Rittenhouse's mother Thursday. She declined to make a comment on the charge filed against McClaney.
According to court documents, police interviewed McClaney in the Toledo, Ohio prison on August 1, 2012. He admitted to killing Rittenhouse. McClaney even described what Rittenhouse was wearing and where things were placed inside the home.
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