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

[FrostedGlass]

These defense attorneys are pretty impressive.

O, who is now probably off drugs and maybe even getting some medication for his mental issues is probably thinking: "Wow! Maybe I really am innocent and my confession was just a figment of my messed up brain!"

 

[FrostedGlass]

The FP explained each injury. She was stabbed near the left eye and her nose was fractured...facial bruises. The poor jury had to look at the autopsy pic of where they peeled her scalp back. She had a lot of injury to her left breast area. She had a number of superficial wounds and was alive for many of the stabs. There were a lot of injuries I haven't listed; it was really hard to listen to. They are on break right now.

O has been quiet; just listening and not moving around in his chair. The first day, he spoke out that something that was said was a lie. His attorneys had a brief conversation with him and he has been very calm since.

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27
Court has resumed; now on the stand is Dr. Darius Arabadjief, forensic pathologist with the chief medical examiner's office in Louisville.
1:22 PM · Sep 16, 2020·Twitter for Android

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27
54m
Jury now receiving individual copies of photos taken during Tammy Blanton's autopsy Sept. 12, 2014.

Aprile Rickert
45m
The forensic pathologist testified Blanton's cause of death as sharp force injuries to the head, neck and torso. There were 25 total.

 

[FrostedGlass]

The forensic pathologist talked a bit about the difference in knife wounds, which I found interesting. How I understand it...the kitchen/steak knife: the shallower wounds appear as a straight edge and deep ones that go clear to the handle have a squared-off edge from the handle. The knife with the brass knuckles: I think that may have been the one with the serrated edge, along with blunt marks.

 

[FrostedGlass]

Defense is really digging in on the rape issue. The FP said he found no signs of injuries to her internal or external genitalia. He also said more than half of sexual assault cases have injuries.

Defense also brought up the fact that she had no underwear and the shorts she had on were not placed in evidence collection.

 

[Niner]

Thursday, Sept. 17th:
*Trial set to begin (Day 5) (via Zoom) (@ 9am ET) – IN – Tammy Jo Blanton (46) (Sept. 11, 2014, Jeffersonville) – *Joseph Albert Oberhansley (33/now 39) arrested (9/11/14) & charged (9/15/14) with 1st degree murder, felony burglary & 3rd degree rape. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA seeks DP. DA has taken DP off the table (6/28/19).
Trial began on 9/8/20 with Jury selection (Jury will be picked from Allen County & trial will be in Clark County – jury selection should take about 3 days.) Jury: 12 jurors & 4 alternates. Trial began on 9/11/20.
Trial info of Jury selection & Trial 9/11/20-9/15/20 (Days 1-3) reference post #217 here:
IN - Tammy Blanton, 46, murdered, mutilated, Jeffersonville, 11 Sept 2014 *RETRIAL*
9/16/20 Day 4: State witnesses: Nicole Hoffman, ISP forensic scientist. Dr. Darius Arabadjief, forensic pathologist with the chief medical examiner's office in Louisville. The forensic pathologist testified Blanton's cause of death as sharp force injuries to the head, neck and torso. There were 25 total. The forensic pathologist testified Blanton's cause of death as sharp force injuries to the head, neck and torso. There were 25 total. Jurors examined more than a dozen autopsy photos Wednesday. Trial continues on 9/17/20.
*Charged (7/29/13) with strangulation & resisting LE.
*Charged (7/23/14) with criminal recklessness & resisting LE.
Court information from 8/19/19 thru 8/31/20 reference post #173 here:
IN - Tammy Blanton, 46, murdered, mutilated, Jeffersonville, 11 Sept 2014 *RETRIAL*
8/31/20 Update: Other charges hearing on 9/24/20.

 

[FrostedGlass]

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27
Fifth day of Joseph Oberhansley's Clark County murder trial starting with Jeffersonville Police Sgt. Sam Moss, a detective. To watch the trial streaming, visit https://public.courts.in.gov/incs#/ and select Clark Circuit 4.

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27
1h
Det. Moss going through photos of Oberhansley taken at police station and of the crime scene at the victim, Tammy Jo Blanton's, home.

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27
1h
One photo was of a jigsaw found in the bathroom where Blanton's body was found. He said the jigsaw blade was submerged under the amount of blood there.
"It was an extremely violent crime scene...(with a) substantial amount of blood," Moss said.

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27
1h
Clark County Prosecutor Jeremy Mull now calls state's 16th witness, Jeffersonville Police Sgt. Brian Mitchell.

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27
51m
Defense atty Bart Betteau asking Mitchell why Blanton's shorts were not included in the SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examination) kit. Clothing was entered as separate evidence.

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27
47m
Now on the stand is Jeffersonville Police Todd Hollis, lead detective in the case.

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27
34m
Court on short recess.

 

[FrostedGlass]

Oberhansley has taken the stand. The prosecutor is going for blood!

 

[FrostedGlass]

https://twitter.com/Aperoll27/status/1306584579596222464

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27 ·2h
Court is now breaking for lunch.

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27 ·1h
Court is now back in session. Jury will be able to view exhibits and then Oberhansley expected to testify.

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27 ·1h
Clark County Prosecutor Jeremy Mull just tested the state's case. Court now on short break.

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27·1h
Jury now being brought back in.

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27·1h
Oberhansley just sworn in, now on the stand.

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27· 55m
He says he went to home at 4 am, let in by Blanton, two men there and scuffle ensued. He said he saw one stab Blanton and he was knocked unconscious

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27 ·52m
Oberhansley saying he was coerced into a false confession during the three hour interview at JPD the day Blanton's body was found.
"I just started going along with whatever the detective says," Oberhansley said.

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27 ·51m
Prosecutor Mull now to cross examine Oberhansley.

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27 ·46m
He's asking if Oberhansley was coerced when he said in the interview "She wasn't that scared surprisingly..." And that he'd told detective he told Blanton "A f*** gun would make this easier, I don't want to have to do this."

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27 ·42m
Mull asking about scuffle with two men: "They had a knife and a gun and they just knocked you in the back of the head like a Hardy Boys novel?" Mull asked.

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27 ·20m
Oberhansley said his truck was parked a few blocks away because he'd stopped at a friend's house who wasn't home so he walked to the river and it started storming so he ran to Blanton's house, knocked and she let him in.

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27 ·14m
Oberhansley has been on the stand about 45 minutes. He maintains his innocence of all charges and that he was coerced during the interview. He said after being knocked unconscious by the men, he woke up and saw a knife on the floor, picked it up and answered the door for police.

Aprile Rickert@Aperoll27 ·4m
Mull has no further questions, defense attorney Bart Betteau asks Oberhansley if he has anything to further explain and he says no, defense rests. Court is adjourning for the day.

 

[Niner]

Friday, Sept. 18th:
*Trial continues (Day 6) (via Zoom) (@ 9am ET) – IN – Tammy Jo Blanton (46) (Sept. 11, 2014, Jeffersonville) – *Joseph Albert Oberhansley (33/now 39) arrested (9/11/14) & charged (9/15/14) with 1st degree murder, felony burglary & 3rd degree rape. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA seeks DP. DA has taken DP off the table (6/28/19).
Trial began on 9/8/20 with Jury selection (Jury will be picked from Allen County & trial will be in Clark County – jury selection should take about 3 days.) Jury: 12 jurors & 4 alternates. Trial began on 9/11/20.
Trial info of Jury selection & Trial 9/11/20-9/16/20 (Days 1-4) reference post #226 here:
IN - Tammy Blanton, 46, murdered, mutilated, Jeffersonville, 11 Sept 2014 *RETRIAL*
9/16/20 Day 5: State witnesses: Jeffersonville Police Sgt. Sam Moss, a detective. Det. Moss went through photos of Oberhansley taken at police station & of the crime scene at the victim's house. Jeffersonville Police Sgt. Brian Mitchell. Jeffersonville Police Todd Hollis, lead detective in the case. Hollis read lines from text conversation between Blanton & friends, and Blanton & Oberhansley. The texts show that she was afraid of Oberhansley & in the days before her death, had told him to get out of her life & had changed the locks. Clark County Prosecutor Jeremy Mull just rested the State's case. Defense witness: Joseph Oberhansley. Oberhansley was on the stand about 45 minutes. He maintained his innocence of all charges & that he was coerced during the interview. He said after being knocked unconscious by the men, he woke up & saw a knife on the floor, picked it up & answered the door for police. Prosecutor Mull has no further questions, defense attorney Bart Betteau asks Oberhansley if he has anything to further explain & he says no, defense rests. Court adjourned for the day. Trial continues on 9/18/20.
*Charged (7/29/13) with strangulation & resisting LE.
*Charged (7/23/14) with criminal recklessness & resisting LE.
Court information from 8/19/19 thru 8/31/20 reference post #173 here:
IN - Tammy Blanton, 46, murdered, mutilated, Jeffersonville, 11 Sept 2014 *RETRIAL*
8/31/20 Update: Other charges hearing on 9/24/20.

 

[FrostedGlass]

Closing arguments have begun.

Defense was asking to be able to introduce a manslaughter charge and Prosecution was not happy. I think the judge decided to go with him and keep things as they are.

O just got upset with Pros and spoke out. Defense settled him down.

 

[FrostedGlass]

As I'm listening to Prosecution go over all the evidence against O, I'm wondering how Defense will present their side.

Has this defense team been with him since the beginning?

 

[Niner]

Here's some tweets!

Aprile Rickert
@Aperoll27
·
1h
Closing arguments starting in Joseph Oberhansley's Clark County trial.

Clark County Prosecutor Jeremy Mull said he didn't want to insult the jury's intelligence but refuting the defendant's story that two men killed Blanton, but went through some of those details.

Mull said the men Oberhansley said did it would have had to violently kill Blanton but leave Oberhansley knocked out on the floor for six hours, use a knife he owned and then place it by him on the floor, answer Blanton's phone and pretend to sound like him.

"We all know they didn't do that," Mull said. "We all know Joseph Oberhansley killed Tammy Blanton."

At one point Oberhansley started speaking while Mull was delivering closing argument.

On the burglary charge, Mull asked the jury to consider that "the best indicator of what's on a person's mind is the person's actions," Mull said. "You have somebody who worked relentlessly to get in that door and once he did, (Blanton) was slaughtered."

On rape charge, Mull said evidence of seminal material on the victim's outer genitals proves intercourse that morning, and that Blanton would not have consented given what had been going on.

"There is absolutely no way Tammy would have paid down with this man and had sex with him the night of her murder," Mull said.

State finished with closing; 10 minute break before defense argument.

Court now back in session, defense attorney Bart Betteau to begin closing argument.

Betteau says the jury may have this thought that they shouldn't even deliberate, that they should just find Oberhansley guilty on all counts, that that's what's expected.
"But you don't have the luxury of doing that," Betteau said. "You took an oath."

Betteau said since Oberhansley told the jury yesterday why he wasn't guilty of murder, the attorney would focus on the other two charges - burglary and rape.

Betteau says to convict on burglary, the prosecutor must have proven that Oberhansley broke into the home to kill Blanton, which he said hasn't been done.

Defense attorney now discussing the rape charge - he says there's no indication from the clothing she was found in - no tears, ets.

Betteau also pointed to previous testimony that there was no physical sign of trauma from sexual assault.
"In every case, you're not going to see that," Betteau said. "But in this case...look at the crime scene. This was an attack driven by rage."


link: https://twitter.com/aperoll27

 

[Niner]

Aprile Rickert
@Aperoll27
·
55m
Betteau has finished closing, Mull now back at the podium for response.

47m
Judge Vicki Carmichael to read jury instructions now, then jury will receive the case.

6m
Closing statements ended just before noon in the Clark County trial of Joseph Oberhansley, accused of murder, rape and burglary in 2014.


link: https://twitter.com/aperoll27

 

[Niner]

I lost the link to this article... but the last lines...


After deliberation, they will select either guilty or not guilty on each of the counts — no alternative verdicts are options in this case.

If Oberhansley is found guilty, the jurors are expected to return Monday for the sentencing portion of the trial, remaining sequestered for the weekend.

 

[Niner]

Aprile Rickert
@Aperoll27
·
9h
Jury deliberations are ongoing in Joseph Oberhansley's Clark County trial. They received the case just before 11:30 this morning and took a lunch break between then and now.

8h
I'm told the jury has a verdict.

Jury in the courtroom

Oberhansley guilty of murder

Oberhansley guilty of burglary

Oberhansley not guilty of rape

Defense attorneys say they don't see it as any sort of victory that he was acquitted of rape

7h
Joseph Oberhansley said he was very disappointed in the jury's verdict, and maintained that he did not kill Tammy Blanton.

5h
"This has been a very long, grueling journey. It's been a battle, it's been a war, but today we prevailed," Clark County Prosecutor Jeremy Mull said after Joseph Oberhansley was found guilty of murder in Clark County Friday.

link: https://twitter.com/aperoll27

 

[Niner]

UPDATE: Jury finds Oberhansley guilty of murder, burglary

Sept. 18, 2020

JEFFERSONVILLE — Six years after Tammy Jo Blanton was found mutilated in her Jeffersonville home, Joseph Oberhansley has been found guilty of her murder.

Just after 5 p.m. Friday and after roughly five hours of deliberation, a jury returned guilty verdicts for the murder and the level 4 felony charge for burglary. Oberhansley, 39, was acquitted of the level 3 felony for rape.
[.....]
The jury — 12 members and four alternates — was selected from Allen County over a two-day process at the start of last week. They will be sequestered over the weekend and return Monday for the sentencing.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Friday, Sept. 18th:
*Trial continues-VERDICT REACHED! (Day 6) (via Zoom) (@ 9am ET) – IN – Tammy Jo Blanton (46) (Sept. 11, 2014, Jeffersonville) – *Joseph Albert Oberhansley (33/now 39) arrested (9/11/14) & charged (9/15/14) with 1st degree murder, felony burglary & 3rd degree rape. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA seeks DP. DA has taken DP off the table (6/28/19).
Trial began on 9/8/20 with Jury selection (Jury will be picked from Allen County & trial will be in Clark County – jury selection should take about 3 days.) Jury: 12 jurors & 4 alternates. Trial began on 9/11/20.
Trial info of Jury selection & Trial 9/11/20-9/17/20 (Days 1-5) reference post #230 here:
IN - Tammy Blanton, 46, murdered, mutilated, Jeffersonville, 11 Sept 2014 *RETRIAL*
9/18/20 Day 6: Friday morning, the defense team moved to amend the jury instructions to include an option for the jury to find Oberhansley guilty of manslaughter, which Clark County Circuit Court No. 4 Judge Vicki Carmichael denied. Clark County Prosecutor Jeremy Mull & defense attorney Bart Betteau gave closing arguments. Mull responded with State's closing rebuttal. Judge Vicki Carmichael read the jury instruction & the jury will receive the case. Closing statements ended just before noon. Jury deliberations began at noon (maybe took lunch). Deliberated for about 5 hours. Verdict: Oberhansley guilty of murder, guilty of burglary & not guilty of rape. The jurors will be sequestered over the weekend & return Monday, 9/21/20 for the sentencing
*Charged (7/29/13) with strangulation & resisting LE.
*Charged (7/23/14) with criminal recklessness & resisting LE.
Court information from 8/19/19 thru 8/31/20 reference post #173 here:
IN - Tammy Blanton, 46, murdered, mutilated, Jeffersonville, 11 Sept 2014 *RETRIAL*
8/31/20 Update: Other charges hearing on 9/24/20.

 

[FrostedGlass]

Guilty on the murder charge was almost a sure thing. I thought the defense attorneys did a good job considering how little they had to work with.

I always thought burglary was breaking into a place to steal stuff but the court definition differs a bit. I thought that could go either way for the jury.

I thought defense did especially good on the rape charge. If there was a rape, it likely happened on the Sat night/Sunday before her death. IMO

I'm glad he's going to be in a place where he can't ever kill another woman.

This verdict didn't really bring me joy. It left me with a deep concern about drug addiction; especially our meth-addicted youth.

 

[Niner]

Monday, Sept. 21st:
*Sentencing Hearing (via Zoom) (@ 9am ET) – IN – Tammy Jo Blanton (46) (Sept. 11, 2014, Jeffersonville) – *Joseph Albert Oberhansley (33/now 39) arrested (9/11/14) & charged (9/15/14) with 1st degree murder, felony burglary & 3rd degree rape. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA seeks DP. DA has taken DP off the table (6/28/19).
Trial began on 9/8/20 with Jury selection (Jury will be picked from Allen County & trial will be in Clark County – jury selection should take about 3 days.) Jury: 12 jurors & 4 alternates. Trial began on 9/11/20 and ended 9/18/20 when jurors deliberated for about 5 hours & gave verdict of guilty of murder, guilty of burglary & not guilty of rape. Sentencing hearing on 9/21/20.
Trial info of Jury selection & Trial 9/11/20-9/18/20 (Days 1-6) reference post #238 here:
IN - Tammy Blanton, 46, murdered, mutilated, Jeffersonville, 11 Sept 2014 *RETRIAL*
9/21/20 Update: Sentencing phase begins.
*Charged (7/29/13) with strangulation & resisting LE.
*Charged (7/23/14) with criminal recklessness & resisting LE.
Court information from 8/19/19 thru 8/31/20 reference post #173 here:
IN - Tammy Blanton, 46, murdered, mutilated, Jeffersonville, 11 Sept 2014 *RETRIAL*
8/31/20 Update: Other charges hearing on 9/24/20.

 

[Steph8angels]

Justice for Tammy

I have known people struggling with all forms of addiction and even the meth epidemic.
Many still do not do what this monster did to Tammy!!!

JMO he would murder again and again if given the opportunity.

Those affected by this nightmare tragic murder my thoughts are with you.

Those jurors can not unsee those imagines of the crime scene.

I am glad and surport the verdict
After 6 years Tammy's loved ones can breathe.

Rest now Tammy your life was Stolen and you did all you could to save yourself. The outcome will be this creep of creepers will not hurt and kill anyone now.
One life (Tammy) was already too many.

Thank you DA office you never gave up.