GUILTY IN - Tammy Blanton, 46, murdered, mutilated, partially eaten, Jeffersonville, 11 Sept 2014 *appeal 2022 denied*

[0101ABA]

Defendant to get psych tests in cannibal case

Defense attorneys Brent Westerfeld and Bart Betteau filed a motion late last month arguing their client is not able to participate in his own defense and not able to fully understand the court proceedings.

Clark County Circuit Court Judge Vicki Carmichael granted the request and ordered that Oberhansley undergo three separate evaluations by medical professionals selected by the court, not the parties in the case.

 

[0101ABA]

Competency evaluations underway in Joseph Oberhansley case in Clark County

Joseph Oberhansley is scheduled to go to trial next month, but attorneys are still waiting to find out if the murder suspect can even stand trial.

Oberhansley, 36, is accused of murdering, raping and dismembering 46-year-old Tammy Jo Blanton of Jeffersonville in September 2014. He's also accused of consuming part of Blanton's body. If convicted, Oberhansley could face the death sentence.

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Judge: Southern Indiana man accused of murder, cannibalism incompetent to stand trial

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/crime/2017/10/25/indiana-cannibal-case-oberhansley/716795001/

A judge ruled Wednesday that an Indiana man accused of brutally killing his estranged girlfriend is not currently competent to stand trial.

One psychiatrist and two psychologists who evaluated 36-year-old Joseph Oberhansely opined in a Wednesday hearing that he is not fit for trial on charges of murder, burglary and rape in the September 2014 slaying of Tammy Jo Blanton.

The ruling by Clark County Circuit Court Judge Vicki Carmichael is the latest delay in the case, which had been set for a June trial.

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Joseph Oberhansley deemed competent to stand trial

A man facing charges related to the 2014 homicide and mutilation of a Jeffersonville woman has been deemed competent to strand trial by a psychiatrist at the mental health facility where he has been since January.

A letter was filed with the court July 24 by a psychiatrist at the Logansport State Hospital stating that Joseph Oberhansley's competency has been restored during his stay there.

<snipped>

But Judge Vicki Carmichael may have the final say as to whether the competency evaluation is upheld. In a status hearing Thursday, Oberhansley's legal team requested one month to talk with their client and form an opinion on his competency. If they contest it, a hearing will need to be held with witness testimony from the psychiatrist.​

 

[JerseyGirl]

Judge Vicki Carmichael told him he needed to work with his attorneys, and scheduled another hearing on Sept. 21 to discuss the matter.

Indiana man accused of murdering, eating dead ex-girlfriend deemed competent for trial

 

[MicheleT]

Joseph Oberhansley deemed competent to stand trial

A letter was filed with the court July 24 by a psychiatrist at the Logansport State Hospital stating that Joseph Oberhansley's competency has been restored during his stay there.​

​

Now, the jail has to keep him competent. I hope they have an order for Court Ordered Medication, which means Oberhansley can't refuse to take them.

 

[Niner]

Friday, Sept. 21st:
*Hearing (@ 1:30pm ET) – IN – Tammy Jo Blanton (46) (Sept. 11, 2014) – Joseph Oberhansley (33) arrested (9/11/14) & charged (9/15/14) with murder, burglary & rape. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA seeks DP.
Trial was delayed from June 12, 2017.
Admitted to police that he broke into Blanton's home and stabbed her multiple times, killing her. The affidavit said after Oberhansley killed Blanton, he removed parts of her skull and brain, heart, and part of a lung. The document said Oberhansley told detectives he cooked and ate the organs. Oberhansley told the judge that police have the wrong guy because his name is Zeus Brown and he doesn't know if he's a U.S. citizen. Police and prosecutors said that's the first time he brought up that name.
In 1998, he pled guilty to shooting this girlfriend Sabrina Elder in West Valley City. He also shot his own mother and then tried to kill himself, but he wasn't convicted of murder. Instead, he got 15 years for manslaughter. Oberhansley was released from prison early in 2012. He moved to Indiana and, while on parole, he was charged with strangling a person. And this past July, he was arrested after a high speed chase and illegally carrying a gun. But none of that information got back to the Utah parole board. Tammy had posted bond for her accused killer on previous charges just over a month earlier. Oberhansley's bond for the car chase charges had originally been set at $25,000 full-cash. Was released for about $500.
6/10/15 Update: Bail denied.
3/8/17 Update: Psych evals requested by defense is granted on 3/29/17.
10/26/17 Update: Found incompetent to stand trial & sent to Logansport State Hospital.
7/24/18 Update: Deemed competent to stand trial by psych doctor at Logansport.
8/9/18 Update: Status hearing held; defense requested 1 month to talk & form opinion on their client’s competency. Next hearing scheduled for 9/21.

 

[4SAM]

This man should NEVER be put back on the streets or even allowed to be with other inmates in prison.

 

[Dushi]

This man should NEVER be put back on the streets or even allowed to be with other inmates in prison.

THIS^^^ in spades

 

[Niner]

Attorneys for man accused of murder, cannibalism fight competency finding

Attorneys for the Southern Indiana man accused of killing his estranged girlfriend in 2014 are contesting a state psychiatrist's finding that their client is fit to stand trial.

It's the latest delay in the four-year-old case over defendant Joseph Oberhansley's competency, which was first formally called into question in February 2017 when his attorneys requested an evaluation.
[.....]
Despite that finding, his attorneys told Clark Circuit Judge Vicki Carmichael this week that he continues to express "bizarre and irrational beliefs," insisting the attorneys are working for the devil and are trying to control his thoughts.

Attorneys Brent Westerfeld and Bart Betteau requested Carmichael again appoint medical professionals to evaluate him and schedule a second competency hearing.

In court Friday, Carmichael granted the defense's request, setting a hearing date for Nov. 16.

 

[Niner]

Friday, November 16th:
*Competency Hearing (@ ET) – IN – Tammy Jo Blanton (46) (Sept. 11, 2014, Jeffersonville) – *Joseph A. Oberhansley (33) arrested (9/11/14) & charged (9/15/14) with murder, burglary & rape. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA seeks DP. Trial was delayed from June 12, 2017 to August, 2019.
Admitted to police that he broke into Blanton's home and stabbed her multiple times, killing her. The affidavit said after Oberhansley killed Blanton, he removed parts of her skull and brain, heart, and part of a lung. The document said Oberhansley told detectives he cooked and ate the organs. Oberhansley told the judge that police have the wrong guy because his name is Zeus Brown and he doesn't know if he's a U.S. citizen. Police and prosecutors said that's the first time he brought up that name.
In 1998, he pled guilty to shooting this girlfriend Sabrina Elder in West Valley City. He also shot his own mother and then tried to kill himself, but he wasn't convicted of murder. Instead, he got 15 years for manslaughter. Oberhansley was released from prison early in 2012. He moved to Indiana and, while on parole, he was charged with strangling a person. And this past July, he was arrested after a high speed chase and illegally carrying a gun. But none of that information got back to the Utah parole board. Tammy had posted bond for her accused killer on previous charges just over a month earlier. Oberhansley's bond for the car chase charges had originally been set at $25,000 full-cash. Was released for about $500.
6/10/15 Update: Bail denied.
3/8/17 Update: Psych evals requested by defense is granted on 3/29/17.
10/26/17 Update: Found incompetent to stand trial & sent to Logansport State Hospital.
7/24/18 Update: Deemed competent to stand trial by psych doctor at Logansport.
8/9/18 Update: Status hearing held; defense requested 1 month to talk & form opinion on their client’s competency. Next hearing scheduled for 9/21.
9/21/18 Update: Will undergo another new competency evaluation. Competence Hearing scheduled for 11/16. Trial is set for August, 2019.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Oberhansley’s murder trial is scheduled for Aug. 19, 2019.

Indiana man competent for trial in killing, cannibalism

 

[Niner]

from court site (next court date in bold)

11/15/2018 Stipulation Filed
Stipulation & Agreement-Competency Hearing.pdf
Filed By: State of Indiana
File Date: 11/15/2018
11/15/2018 Report Filed
Confidential Report received from Dr. Galligan
File Stamp: 11/15/2018
11/15/2018 Stipulation Filed
Stipulation & Agreement Regarding Competency Hearing approved. By agreement of the parties, defendant deemed competent to stand trial. This case is set for Pre-Trial Conferences on 2/1/19 @ 1:30 p.m., 3/1/19 @ 1:30 p.m., 5/31/19 @ 1:30 p.m., 6/28/19 @ 1:30 p.m. and 7/22/19 @ 1:30 p.m. and Jury Trial: 8/19/19 @ 9 a.m.
File Date: 11/15/2018

11/16/2018 CANCELED Competency Hearing
Reason: Agreement of Parties
Session: 11/16/2018 10:30 AM, Cancelled
11/16/2018 Hearing Scheduling Activity
Competency Hearing scheduled for 11/16/2018 at 10:30 AM was cancelled. Reason: Agreement of Parties.
11/16/2018 Hearing Scheduling Activity
Pretrial Conference scheduled for 02/01/2019 at 1:30 PM.
11/16/2018 Hearing Scheduling Activity
Pretrial Conference scheduled for 03/01/2019 at 1:30 PM.
11/16/2018 Hearing Scheduling Activity
Pretrial Conference scheduled for 05/31/2019 at 1:30 PM.
11/16/2018 Hearing Scheduling Activity
Pretrial Conference scheduled for 06/28/2019 at 1:30 PM.
11/16/2018 Hearing Scheduling Activity
Pretrial Conference scheduled for 07/22/2019 at 1:30 PM.

02/01/2019 Pretrial Conference
Session: 02/01/2019 1:30 PM, Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L

03/01/2019 Pretrial Conference
Session: 03/01/2019 1:30 PM, Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L

05/31/2019 Pretrial Conference
Session: 05/31/2019 1:30 PM, Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L

06/28/2019 Pretrial Conference
Session: 06/28/2019 1:30 PM, Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L

07/22/2019 Pretrial Conference
Session: 07/22/2019 1:30 PM, Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L

08/19/2019 Jury Trial
Session: 08/19/2019 9:00 AM, Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L


link: Case Search - MyCase

 

[cybervampira]

'Cannibal killer used jigsaw to open up ex-girlfriend's skull to eat brain'

WARNING - GRAPHIC DETAILS: Joseph Oberhansley, 37, allegedly stabbed Tammy Jo Blanton, 46, to death with a knife at her home in Jeffersonville, Indiana - but what happened next was unimaginable

 

[Niner]

Here's whats been going on with this case. I see I missed a "Change of Venue" hearing on Monday the 17th... Sorry. & they've added a hearing for 4/22.

11/17/2018 Automated ENotice Issued to Parties
Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 11/16/2018 : Brent Westerfeld;Jeremy Todd Mull;Nicholas Karaffa;Bart M Betteau Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 11/16/2018 : Brent Westerfeld;Jeremy Todd Mull;Nicholas Karaffa;Bart M Betteau Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 11/16/2018 : Brent Westerfeld;Jeremy Todd Mull;Nicholas Karaffa;Bart M Betteau Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 11/16/2018 : Brent Westerfeld;Jeremy Todd Mull;Nicholas Karaffa;Bart M Betteau Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 11/16/2018 : Brent Westerfeld;Jeremy Todd Mull;Nicholas Karaffa;Bart M Betteau Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 11/16/2018 : Brent Westerfeld;Jeremy Todd Mull;Nicholas Karaffa;Bart M Betteau Order Granting ---- 11/14/2018 : Brent Westerfeld;Jeremy Todd Mull;Nicholas Karaffa;Bart M Betteau

11/26/2018 Order Denying
Order to Continue Comp Hrg denied.
Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L
Order Signed: 11/26/2018

11/27/2018 Motion Filed
Motion to Release Car Keys
Filed By: Oberhansley, Joseph
File Stamp: 11/27/2018

11/29/2018 Motion Filed
EXPARTE MOTION FILED UNDER SEAL.
By: Westerfeld, Brent
File Stamp: 11/29/2018

11/29/2018 Order Granting
Ex Parte Order granted.
Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L
Order Signed: 11/29/2018

11/29/2018 Case Management Plan
Case Management Plan approved.
Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L
Order Signed: 11/29/2018

11/30/2018
Automated ENotice Issued to Parties
Order Denying ---- 11/26/2018 : Brent Westerfeld;Jeremy Todd Mull;Nicholas Karaffa;Bart M Betteau Order Granting ---- 11/29/2018 : Brent Westerfeld;Jeremy Todd Mull;Nicholas Karaffa;Bart M Betteau

12/05/2018 Motion Filed
Ex Parte Motion filed Under Seal Pursuant to CR 24(C)(2)
Filed By: Westerfeld, Brent
File Stamp: 12/05/2018

12/05/2018 Order Granting
Ex Parte Order granted.
Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L
Order Signed: 12/05/2018

12/07/2018 Automated ENotice Issued to Parties
Order Granting ---- 12/5/2018 : Brent Westerfeld;Jeremy Todd Mull;Nicholas Karaffa;Bart M Betteau

12/07/2018 Objection Filed
State's Objection To Defendant's Motion To Release Keys.pdf
Filed By: State of Indiana
File Stamp: 12/07/2018

12/11/2018 Hearing Scheduling Activity
Hearing on Motion for Change of Venue scheduled for 12/17/2018 at 9:00 AM.

12/12/2018 Automated ENotice Issued to Parties
Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 12/11/2018 : Brent Westerfeld;Jeremy Todd Mull;Nicholas Karaffa;Bart M Betteau
12/12/2018 Transport Order Entered
Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L
Order Signed: 12/12/2018

12/17/2018 Hearing on Motion for Change of Venue
Session: 12/17/2018 9:00 AM, Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L
12/17/2018 Appearance Filed
Appearance by Tim Gray, Prosecutor
For Party: State of Indiana
File Stamp: 12/17/2018
12/17/2018 Document Filed
Tender of Documents in Support of Motion to Preclude Death Qualification of the Jury in Violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act
Filed By: Oberhansley, Joseph
File Stamp: 12/17/2018
12/17/2018 Hearing Scheduling Activity
Hearing scheduled for 04/22/2019 at 9:00 AM.

12/18/2018 Automated ENotice Issued to Parties
Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 12/17/2018 : Brent Westerfeld;Jeremy Todd Mull;Nicholas Karaffa;Bart M Betteau;Timothy L Gray

02/01/2019 Pretrial Conference
Session: 02/01/2019 1:30 PM, Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L

03/01/2019 Pretrial Conference
Session: 03/01/2019 1:30 PM, Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L

04/22/2019 Hearing
Session: 04/22/2019 9:00 AM, Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L

05/31/2019 Pretrial Conference
Session: 05/31/2019 1:30 PM, Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L

06/28/2019 Pretrial Conference
Session: 06/28/2019 1:30 PM, Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L

07/22/2019 Pretrial Conference
Session: 07/22/2019 1:30 PM, Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L

08/19/2019 Jury Trial
Session: 08/19/2019 9:00 AM, Judicial Officer: Carmichael, Vicki L


link: Case Search - MyCase

 

[Niner]

I got this in my google alerts this afternoon:

Indiana man charged with murder and cannibalism wants trial moved

but all I can read is:


Indiana man charged with murder and cannibalism wants trial moved
WDRB
Defense attorneys for Joseph Oberhansley requested a change of venue Monday. Oberhansley is charged with murder, rape and abuse of a corpse in ...



from the Change of venue hearing on Monday. A 10% synopsis would be nice!

TIA!

 

[JerseyGirl]

I got this in my google alerts this afternoon:

Indiana man charged with murder and cannibalism wants trial moved

but all I can read is:


Indiana man charged with murder and cannibalism wants trial moved
WDRB
Defense attorneys for Joseph Oberhansley requested a change of venue Monday. Oberhansley is charged with murder, rape and abuse of a corpse in ...



from the Change of venue hearing on Monday. A 10% synopsis would be nice!

TIA!

Oberhansley is scheduled to be back in court in April for another pre-trial hearing. After that, a judge is expected to rule on the change of venue request.

 

[Niner]

Actually he's due back in court on Feb. 1st. They added the April 22nd hearing.

 

[Indy Anna]

Insanity defense planned in gruesome Indiana slaying

His trial is scheduled to begin Aug 19.

 

[Niner]

Friday, February 1st:
*Pretrial Hearing (@ 1:30pm ET) – IN – Tammy Jo Blanton (46) (Sept. 11, 2014, Jeffersonville) – *Joseph A. Oberhansley (33) arrested (9/11/14) & charged (9/15/14) with murder, burglary & rape. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA seeks DP.
Trial was delayed from June 12, 2017 to August 19, 2019.
Admitted to police that he broke into Blanton's home and stabbed her multiple times, killing her. The affidavit said after Oberhansley killed Blanton, he removed parts of her skull and brain, heart, and part of a lung. The document said Oberhansley told detectives he cooked and ate the organs. Oberhansley told the judge that police have the wrong guy because his name is Zeus Brown and he doesn't know if he's a U.S. citizen. Police and prosecutors said that's the first time he brought up that name.
In 1998, he pled guilty to shooting this girlfriend Sabrina Elder in West Valley City. He also shot his own mother and then tried to kill himself, but he wasn't convicted of murder. Instead, he got 15 years for manslaughter. Oberhansley was released from prison early in 2012. He moved to Indiana and, while on parole, he was charged with strangling a person. And this past July, he was arrested after a high speed chase and illegally carrying a gun. But none of that information got back to the Utah parole board. Tammy had posted bond for her accused killer on previous charges just over a month earlier. Oberhansley's bond for the car chase charges had originally been set at $25,000 full-cash. Was released for about $500.
6/10/15 Update: Bail denied. 3/8/17 Update: Psych evals requested by defense is granted on 3/29/17. 10/26/17 Update: Found incompetent to stand trial & sent to Logansport State Hospital. 7/24/18 Update: Deemed competent to stand trial by psych doctor at Logansport. 8/9/18 Update: Status hearing held; defense requested 1 month to talk & form opinion on their client’s competency. Next hearing scheduled for 9/21. 9/21/18: Will undergo another new competency evaluation. Competence Hearing scheduled for 11/16. Trial is set for August 19, 2019.
11/16/18 Update: Judge rules defendant competent to stand trial. Motion for Change of Venue. Motion to Preclude Death Qualification of the Jury in Violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Next Pretrial hearings set for 2/1/19, 3/1, 5/31, 6/28 & 7/22, with trial starting 8/19/19.
12/17/18 Update: Change of Venue hearing added on 4/22/19 for scheduling.