Since 1977, the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney has
filed 7 murder cases seeking a death sentence:
State of Indiana v. Joseph Albert Oberhansley
(10C04-1409-MR-001)
Court:
Clark Circuit Court #4 Judge Vicki L. Carmichael
Date of Crime: September 11, 2014
Date of Jury Trial: September 11-21, 2021
Defense Attorneys: Brent L. Westerfeld, Bart M Betteau, Nicholas Karaffa, Michael McDaniel
Prosecutor: Jeremy Mull
Charges: Count I: Murder (IC 35-42-1-1),
Count II: Burglary (Level 4 Felony) (IC 35-43-2-1),
Count III: Rape (Level 3 Felony) (IC 35-42-4-1),
Count IV: Request for Death Sentence (IC 35-50-2-9).
Aggravating Circumstances Alleged:
(1) Intentional murder during commission of Burglary (IC 35-50-2-9(b)(1)(B)),
(2) Intentional murder during commission of Rape (IC 35-50-2-9(b)(1)(F)), and
(3) Dismemberment of murder victim (IC 35-50-2-9(b)(10).
Victim: Tammy Jo Blanton, age 46
On September 11, 2014, at 2:52AM, the Jeffersonville Police Department received a call from Tammy Jo Blanton,
who explained that her ex-boyfriend Joseph Oberhansley was outside her home trying to gain entry
and refusing to leave. Responding Officers located Oberhansley outside the home. He claimed to live
at that address. They instructed Oberhansley to leave the area. He was deceitful and complained,
but eventually left. Officers checked back and found no trace of Oberhansley.
Tammy’s co-workers
became very concerned when she did not show up for work at 9:00AM. They called her cell phone
and a man answered claiming to be her brother. They called police and requested a welfare check at her home.
Officers went there and saw signs of a forced entry at the back door. Oberhansley opened the front door
and claimed not to know where Tammy was. Officers observed a fresh injury to his hand and knuckles
and found an open folding knife in his pocket. Tammy was found in the bathroom. Her skull had been
crushed with brain tissue scattered around the bathtub, with deep cuts to her head, face, neck, and chest.
A large portion of her brain was missing. Several cuts to her chest created a large opening and her heart
was not inside her chest. More brain tissue was found in the kitchen with blood and bits of bone in a skillet
on the stove and on utensils and dishes. Oberhansley’s vehicle was recovered two blocks away.
In custody,
Oberhansley would at first deny he even knew Tammy’s body was in the bathroom. Later, he admitted to stabbing her,
mutilating her body, using a jigsaw to cut open her skull, remove a portion of her brain and eating it raw.
He further admitted to cooking a section of her brain and eating it. A bloodied electric jigsaw was collected
from the home. At trial, he would testify that “two black guys” broke in and knocked him out then killed Tammy.
In court, Oberhansley would at first only refer to himself as Zeus and was repeatedly found incompetent
to stand trial over a 6 year period. He filed a notice of insanity defense, but withdrew it, insisting
he wanted a chance to be free, not to spend the rest of his life in a mental institution. A request
for a DP was originally filed, but was amended to LWOP. On September 21, 2020, the jury found him guilty
of Murder and Burglary and recommended LWOP. On October 13, 2020, he was sentenced to Life
Imprisonment Without Parole by Judge Vicki L. Carmichael.
Oberhansley was earlier convicted of Manslaughter (of his girlfriend)
in Utah and served ±10 years in prison.
State of Indiana v. Richard Carley Hooten, Jr.
(10C04-1303-MR-000002)
Court:
Clark Circuit Court #4 Judge Vicki L. Carmichael
Date of Crime: 03-02-13
Date of Guilty Plea: 05-19-14
Defense Attorneys: Brent Westerfeld
& Andrew Adams
Prosecutors: Steven D. Stewart &
Jeremy Mull
Charges: Murder, Rape (Class B Felony), Criminal Deviate Conduct
(Class B Felony), Habitual Offender
Aggravating Circumstances:
(1) Intentional Murder During Course of Rape, (2) Intentional Murder During Course
of Criminal Deviate Conduct, (3) Murder While on Felony Probation
Victim: Tara Rose Willenborg, age 17
The body of 17 year old Tara Willenborg was found on the bedroom floor
of her apartment at Cambridge Square in Clarksville, with massive bruising to her upper chest and
a Subway apron tied around her neck. She lived at the apartment with her fiancé, who arrived home
from work after midnight to find her body. She had just started a new job at Subway.
Richard Hooten lived across the hallway from her. Hooten was a registered sex offender,
having been convicted of Rape in Georgia, where he received a 15 year sentence.
He had also been convicted of Assault and Escape in Kentucky, where he also served prison time.
An arrest warrant was outstanding for his failure to register as a sex offender.
Hooten had gone to a local bar with friends that night, but had left early and alone,
then returned to the apartment. After being advised of his constitutional rights,
Hooten admitted that he had forcibly raped and strangled to death Tara Willenborg.
DNA testing on semen found at the scene confirmed his statements.
On May 19, 2014 Hooten pled guilty to Murder, Rape, Criminal Devate Conduct,
and admitted he was a Habitual Offender pursuant to a "Statement of Plea Agreement
to Ensure that the Defendant is Never Released from Prison." With the recommendation
of the victim's family, he was sentenced by Judge Vicki L. Carmichael to consecutive terms
of Life Imprisonment with absolutely no possibility of parole on Count I, 20 years
imprisonment on Count II enhanced to 50 years as a Habitual Offender,
and to 20 years imprisonment on Count III.
State of Indiana v. Zachariah Melcher
(10C01-0504-MR-038)
Court:
Clark Circuit Judge Daniel F. Donahue
Date of Crime: 04-16-05
Date of Guilty Plea: 08-03-06
Defense Attorneys: Jeffrey D. Stonebraker, J. Christopher Sturgeon
Prosecutors: Steven D. Stewart, William C. Grimes
Charges: Murder, Murder, Murder, Habitual Offender
Aggravating Circumstances:
(1) Murder of Child Under 12 Years of Age, (2) Commission of Multiple Murders,
(3)Murder of Pregnant Woman Intentionally Killing a Viable Fetus, (4) Murder While on Felony Probation
Victim: Christian Melcher (23 years), Jaiden Melcher (11 months), Unborn Viable Fetus
On April 22, 2005, the decomposing bodies of 23 year old Christian
Melcher and 11 month old Jaiden Melcher were discovered stuffed inside a plastic storage container
in her home, located at 628 East Maple Street in Jeffersonville. A plastic bag covered the head
of the small child. An autopsy later revealed that Christian Melcher died of strangulation or asphyxiation.
The child died of suffocation or asphyxiation. In addition, Christian was found to be eight months pregnant,
carrying a viable fetus able to live outside the mother's womb.
Zachariah Melcher, age 27, was the husband of Christian Melcher and the father of Jaiden Melcher,
and lived at the home at 628 East Maple Street in Jeffersonville. He was previously convicted of Burglary
(Class B Felony) on May 22, 1997 in the Floyd County Circuit Court, and was released on supervised probation
on September 19, 2002. After being advised of his constitutional rights, Zachariah Melcher admitted
that he had murdered his wife and child and stuffed them into a plastic storage container seven days earlier.
On August 3, 2006 Melcher pled guilty to 3 Counts of Murder pursuant to a "Statement of Plea Agreement to Ensure that the Defendant is Never Released from Prison." With the recommendation of the victim's family, he was sentenced by Judge Daniel F. Donahue to consecutive terms of Life Imprisonment with absolutely no possibility of parole on Count I, Life Imprisonment with absolutely no possibility of parole on Count II, and to a fixed term of 65 years imprisonment on Count III.
State
of Indiana v. Theodore Helfenbein
(10C01-9104-CF-054)
Court: Clark Circuit Court Judge Daniel F. Donahue
Date of Crime: 04-20-91
Date of Trial: 04-15-92 to 04-24-92
Defense Attorneys: Jeffrey D. Stonebraker & Vicki Carmichael
Prosecutors: Steven D. Stewart
Charges: Murder, Possession of
Sawed-Off Shotgun (Class D Felony), Possesion of Handgun
(Class A Misdemeanor), Habitual Offender
Aggravating Circumstances: Previous
Murder Conviction, Child Victim less than 12 years of age
Victim: Brian Helfenbein (age 10)
The defendant was 48 years old
from Cicero, Ill. After his wife was arrested for
threatening a teacher, the defendant fled with their 10
year old son to the home of his brother in Peru, Indiana.
He then left, heading for his mother's home in Arkansas.
In route, he changed his mind and headed back on I-65 to
Cicero. He stopped at the Memphis Truck Stop and shot his
son 5 times with a .25 caliber pistol while he was
sleeping. The defendant then drove to Scottsburg, called
the police and turned himself in. The defendant admitted
he had shot his son, claiming basically that the world
was a terrible place and he did not want his son to have
to grow up living a life of misery, particularly in the
ghettos of Cicero. Other weapons and a sawed-off shotgun
were found in the car.
At trial the defendant asserted
an insanity defense and testified extensively. The
defendant was convicted of murdering a soldier in Florida
in 1962. He later escaped and served a total of 11 years
in Florida prisons. The defendant testified that he
wanted to receive the death penalty.
The defendant was convicted of
all counts. The jury unanimously recommended a death
sentence. Nevertheless, Clark Circuit Court Judge Daniel F. Donahue
sentenced the defendant to the maximum term, 94 years
imprisonment, on May 26, 1992. The defendant's
anticipated release date is April 2038. He will be 95
years old.
State
of Indiana v. James Kenneth Utley
(73C01-8806-CF-004)
Court: Shelby Circuit Court Judge Charles D. O'Connor
(Venued from Clark to Shelby County)
Date of Crime: 02-18-88
Date of Trial: 01-31-89 to 03-02-89
Defense Attorneys: Michael McDaniel
Prosecutors: Jerome F. Jacobi
Charges: Murder (2 counts), Burglary
(Class A Felony)
Aggravating Circumstances: Multiple
murders, Intentional Murder during commission of Burglary
Victims: Karen Smith (age 26),
Jacqueline Smith (age 3)
Appeal: Utley v. State, 589
N.E.2d 232 (Ind. 1992)
The victims were discovered in
their home on Cole Road near New Washington in the
afternoon, both shot with a .22 between the eyes. The
rear door was unlocked and their car was gone. The car
was later discovered locked with the keys gone several
miles away. A man fitting the defendant's description was
identified by neighbors near both scenes near the time of
the murders. A search warrant of the defendant's home
uncovered a hidden .22 caliber handgun that he said had
been stolen. A ballistics expert testified that the gun
appeared to be the same gun used to commit the murders. A
prisoner testified that the defendant had admitted
committing the murders while he was "high." The
defendant denied the murders and did not testify at
trial.
The defendant was convicted of
all charges after only 2 hours of deliberations. The jury
was unable to unanimously agree on a death sentence.
Shelby Circuit Court Judge Charles D. O'Connor sentenced
the defendant to the maximum term on all counts, 170
years imprisonment, on April 18, 1989. The defendant's
anticipated release date is February 2073. He will be 107
years old.
State of Indiana v.
Latine Marie Gordon Davidson
(85-CR1-35)
Court: Clark Superior Court #1 Judge Clementine B. Barthold
Date of Crime: 07-21-83
& 01-04-85
Date of Trial: 09-23-86
to 11-06-86
Defense Attorneys:
Michael Forsee & Anne Coffman
Prosecutors: Steven D. Stewart
Charges: Murder (2 counts)
Aggravating Circumstances: Multiple
murders,
Victim Less than 12 years old
Victims: Shaccara Dayann Gordon &
Rodriguez Sanchez Escabar Felicciones
Appeal: Davidson v. State, 558
N.E.2d 1077 (Ind. 1990)
The defendant was a 21 year old
mother of four, convicted of murdering her first two by
drowning them in the bathtub at her home on Rhonda Drive
and Riddle Street in Jeffersonville. The drownings were
committed at different times, 1 1/2 years apart, when
each victim was approximately 14 months old. No charges
were brought until the death of the second child, and
both cases were joined for trial.
In both cases, the child was
heavily insured at the time of the drownings, with the
defendant as beneficiary. 48 hours before the second
drowning, the defendant solicited a $40,000 life
insurance policy on the child. The defendant gave wildly
conflicting statements to the police, to the Welfare
Dept., and to the Grand Jury, but basically alleged that
both deaths were accidental. Neither child had any trauma
to the body and medical experts agreed that it would be
next to impossible for the child to drown accidentally
without such trauma.
The defendant was convicted of
both murders. The jury was unable to unanimously agree on
a death sentence. Clark Superior Court Judge Clementine
B. Barthold sentenced the defendant to the maximum term,
120 years imprisonment, on December 2, 1986. The
defendant's anticipated release date is June 2065. She
will be 80 years old.
State
of Indiana v. Russell Ernest Boyd
(82-CR-27)
Court:
Clark Circuit Court Judge Clifford H. Maschmeyer
Date of Crime: 08-27-82
Date of Trial: 08-23-83 to 09-12-83
Defense Attorneys: Michael Forsee
& Charles G. Read
Prosecutors: Jerome F. Jacobi &
Steven D. Stewart
Charges: Murder, Felony Murder,
Burglary (Class B Felony)
Aggravating Circumstances:
Intentional Murder during commission of Burglary
Victim: Judy Falkenstein
Appeal: Boyd v. State, 494
N.E.2d 284 (Ind. 1986)
The victim was a 30 year old
housewife who was found nude, beaten, and strangled in
the bedroom of her home on West Loma Vista Drive in
Jeffersonville. Her body was discovered on a weekday
afternoon by her 10 year old daughter. Various valuables
and cash from the home were found in the possession of
the defendant, and several acquaintances placed him in
the neighborhood at the time of the murder. The defendant
first denied ever being in the area, but later admitted
to breaking into the home 3 days before the murder, and
admitted going back to the home on the day of the murder.
He claimed to have seen the victim's body in the bedroom,
and ran out of the house after he got scared.
The defendant was convicted of
all charges. The jury recommended a death sentence. Clark
Circuit Court Judge Clifford H. Maschmeyer sentenced the
defendant to death on October 4, 1983.
In 1993, Special Judge Robert L.
Bennett set aside the death sentence on the grounds that
the defense attorneys were ineffective in failing to
present mitigating circumstances on the defendant's
behalf. The defendant entered into an agreement and with the recommendation of the victim's family, was
sentenced to an 80 year term of imprisonment, the maximum
allowed under the statutes. His anticipated release date
is August 2022. He will be 64 years old.
HISTORICAL:
State
of Indiana v. Edward Coffin and Toots Long
On June 4, 1934 Scott County
Deputy Sheriff Harold Amick was shot to death while
looking for chicken thieves near Underwood. Deputy Amick
had mistakenly confronted a group of men who were on the
run from an earlier shooting in Seymour. Clark County
Prosecuting Attorney Clyde F. Crooks, sought the death
penalty by Indictment for the triggerman, Edward Coffin.
A jury trial began on June 8, 1934, with Prosecutor
Crooks presenting 26 witnesses. Both Coffin and his
accomplice, Toots Long, were represented by pauper
attorney, Edward Dunlevy, and found guilty of First
Degree Murder the next day. On June 9, 1934 Clark County
Circuit Judge, George C. Kopp, sentenced Coffin to death
and Long to life in prison. On October 9, 1934, 127 days
after the murder of Harold Amick, 22 year old Edward
Coffin was executed in the electric chair at the Indiana
State Prison at Michigan City, Indiana. He is the only
person to have been sentenced to death in Clark County
and executed this century. [Information obtained through court documents
and newspaper accounts in The Evening News]
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