Kosciusko Circuit Judge Rex Reed sided with the town of Milford and Town Marshal David Hobbs in a civil lawsuit concerning a 2004 false arrest claim.

On Sept. 18, Reed listened to arguments about the case from Ralph Fredderick "Fred" Fisher's attorney Thomas Leatherman and Hobbs' and Milford's attorney Michael Morrow. After reviewing the information presented in the hearing, Reed took the matter under advisement and made the decision the case will not go to trial.

In 2002, Fred Fisher was arrested and went to trial for the murder of Kathy Vroman. He was found not guilty of the murder in March 2002.

In 2004, Fisher and his wife Ramona filed suit requesting unspecified damages from Hobbs and Milford because they claimed Fred Fisher was falsely arrested.

Originally, Fred Fisher filed suit against Hobbs and Milford, saying he was falsely imprisoned, falsely arrested, maliciously prosecuted, emotionally distressed and that Ramona lost the companionship and consortium of her husband. All parts of the case except the false arrest accusation were dismissed in federal court earlier this year.

Ralph's son, Jason Fisher, originally was arrested for the murder, but Jason Fisher told police his father committed the crime.

At the time the probable cause affidavit was signed, Hobbs said he believed Jason Fisher's statement was consistent with Fred Fisher's motives.

While under arrest for the murder, Jason Fisher secured immunity for himself and told police his father was the person who shot Vroman. Vroman's frozen body was found in a wooded area near Three Rivers, Mich., Jan. 26, 2001. According to autopsy information, Vroman died after being shot in the head twice.

Ralph Fisher denied he had any part in the murder but admitted to telling Jason Fisher how to hide evidence and dispose of Vroman's body.

In 2002, a jury found Ralph Fisher not guilty of Vroman's murder after evidence in court failed to prove his guilt. [[In-content Ad]]