Retrial Proceedings Begin In 1979 Slaying Of Deputy

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- A state prison inmate is denying guilt in the 1979 shooting of a Garrett County sheriff's deputy.

Sixty-seven-year-old Roberto Rezek pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge Tuesday in Washington County Circuit Court in Hagerstown.

Rezek, formerly of Fairmont, West Virginia, was convicted of murder in 1980 and sentenced to life plus 15 years for the slaying of Deputy David Livengood in downtown Oakland. His conviction was reversed because the jury at his trial was given improper instructions. That trial was held in Washington County.

Rezek has always denied shooting Livengood. Co-defendant Richard Tichnell testified that he, Tichnell, fired the gun after Livengood shot him in the shoulder after finding the men robbing an army surplus store.

Tichnell died in prison in 2006.

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