TMZ.com reported on December 10, 2008, that Shaha Adham had been cleared of all charges in the death of Scott Ruffalo.TMZ.com: Ruffalo Suspect Cleared and Released(December 10, 2008) Adham's lawyer, Ronald Richards, provided evidence that Ahdam did not shoot Ruffalo, and the charges were dropped. Richards also stated that Adham witnessed Ruffalo shoot himself accidentally.CTV.ca: Ruffalo suspect released, cleared: attorney (December 10, 2008)The result of an autopsy, however, showed that Ruffalo's death was a homicide.Fox News: Actor Mark Ruffalo's Brother's Death Ruled a Homicide (December 18, 2008)
Person of Interest
Shaha Adham was an official person of interest, along with Brian Scofield, in the December 1, 2008, shooting of Scott Ruffalo.ABC News: Persons of Interest Sought in Ruffalo Case (December 3, 2008) Adham and Scofield were reportedly living in the Los Angeles area at the time of the shooting.ABC News: Persons of Interest Sought in Ruffalo Case (December 3, 2008)
On December 8, 2008, TMZ.com reported that Shaha Adham and Brian Scofield had turned themselves into the Beverly Hills Police Department.TMZ: Ruffalo Suspect Arrested in Beverly Hills (December 8, 2008) Adham was retained on a no-bail arrest warrant and Scofield on a misdemeanor traffic warrant.TMZ: Ruffalo Suspect Arrested in Beverly Hills (December 8, 2008)
Russian Roulette
Adham contends that Ruffalo killed himself while playing Russian Roulette, and the only reason that she was at his apartment was to pick up her car that he had borrowed. Adham later called Scofield who was never at the scene of the crime.Perez Hilton: A Deadly Game Of Russian Roulette?? (December 9, 2008)CTV.ca: Ruffalo suspect released, cleared: attorney (December 10, 2008) The result of an autopsy, however, showed that Ruffalo's death was a homicide.Fox News: Actor Mark Ruffalo's Brother's Death Ruled a Homicide (December 18, 2008)
Quotes
"We expect the coroner's report to show the shooting was a result of the victim's chronic playing of Russian Roulette and his dangerous playing with firearms while under the use of controlled substances."—Ronald Richards, Adham's second attorneyPerez Hilton: A Deadly Game Of Russian Roulette?? (December 9, 2008)
"My client was a good friend of the victim and is very sad for the loss of his family. However, she played no role whatsoever in his accidental death."—Ronald RichardsPerez Hilton: A Deadly Game Of Russian Roulette?? (December 9, 2008)
"I can confirm that my client was present when Mr. Ruffalo shot himself. She was picking up some keys."—Ronald RichardsPerez Hilton: A Deadly Game Of Russian Roulette?? (December 9, 2008)
"We have two people of interest that the detectives are looking for. One is Brian Scofield and the other one is Shaha Adham. We're hoping that the public can help us out in locating these individuals. ... They could be involved. There is certainly a nexus and that's the reason why we need to speak with these individuals."—Beverly Hills Police Lieutenant Tony Lee on the search for Brian Scofield and Shaha AdhamABC News: Persons of Interest Sought in Ruffalo Case (December 4, 2008)