LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- The Louisville man convicted of killing his business partner will spend nearly a quarter of a century behind bars. Thomas Kessinger's attorney says he's already filed an appeal and says he believes his client has an excellent chance of winning.
Tuesday morning, a judge sentenced Kessinger to 24 years in jail for the death of his business partner.
In April of 2010, 50-year-old Diane Tanselle disappeared. Days later, her body was found wrapped up in a tarp inside a van, left in the parking lot of a Lyndon apartment complex. She and Kessinger were said to be business partners opening a tanning salon together.
Before being questioned by authorities, Kessinger led police on a car chase into southern Indiana before he was arrested on drug charges there for having a marijuana growing operation inside his home.
During trial in April, Kessinger's attorney argued that growing drugs didn't make Kessinger a murderer. But a jury convicted Kessinger of murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence.
Tuesday, he learned he'd spend 24 years in jail, just as the jury that convicted him had recommended. Erin White, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney, says, "I think 24 years is absolutely appropriate."
Kessinger has also been charged with being a persistent felony offender, which was included in the trial.
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