Charges dropped in mother's beating death

Prosecutors asked a judge to dismiss a murder case against an Indianapolis man who was accused of beating his mother to death because of "evidentiary problems," according to the Marion County Prosecutor's Office.

A judge on Tuesday granted the request, dropping all charges against William Rainsberger, 57.

Rainsberger's attorney, David R. Hennessy, maintained his client's innocence, stating that his investigation pointed to several other possible suspects.

"He's been through pure hell," Hennessy said.

The state last May charged Rainsberger with murder in connection with the death of his 88-year-old mother, Ruth Rainsberger.

The probable cause affidavit said Rainsberger called 911 in November of 2013 and told responders that someone "bashed" his mother's head. The woman later died at the hospital.

Court documents alleged that Rainsberger may have sought access to his mother's $98,000 in savings.

But the state last week requested that the murder charge be dropped.

Anthony Deer, a spokesman with the prosecutor's office, said problems with the evidence led to the request to drop the case, which was approved by Marion Superior Judge Kurt Eisgruber. Deer did not expand on the nature of the evidentiary problems.

Hennessy said he developed other possible suspects, and believes the woman could have been targeted in a robbery. He said he was ready to take the case to trial.

Rainsberger was released from jail last May on a $6,000 cash bond after his arrest.

"Being falsely accused killing your mother, I cannot think of a worse nightmare," Hennessy said.

Call Star reporter Madeline Buckley at (317) 444-6083. Follow her on Twitter: @Mabuckley88.