JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) -- Six years and one week to the day after a Jeffersonville woman was found slaughtered in her home, the man accused of killing her and eating parts of her body was found guilty Friday.
Joseph Oberhansley was found guilty of murder and burglary in connection to the murder and dismemberment of Tammy Jo Blanton. He was found not guilty of rape.
"I told the people of Clark County many years ago that this was something that I intended to see through and to make sure that this man was held accountable for his actions,"Â Clark County Prosecutor Jeremy Mull said. "He was brought to justice and removed from the streets, and so today, that happened."
Jurors heard gruesome details all week and viewed crime scene photos of Blanton's murder. The trial was punctuated by outbursts from Oberhansley as he interrupted the prosecution and witnesses.
During closing arguments Friday, as Clark County Prosecutor Jeremy Mull was making his final plea to the jury, Oberhansley interrupted several times. Mull said Oberhansley raped Blanton, before stabbing her several times and cutting out her organs.
"We are very disappointed about the verdict," Oberhansley's defense attorney Bart Betteau said after the verdict was read. "We weren't able to get our point across. We believe Joe was not guilty of the murder, and we believe Joe is not guilty of burglary as well."
Oberhansley has maintained his innocence since his arrest. On the stand in his own defense Thursday, Oberhansley said Blanton had been killed by two men, who were still inside the home when he arrived. He said the men knocked him out, so he grabbed a knife when he woke up because he wasn't sure if they were still there.Â
Oberhansley's outbursts Friday came as Mull was addressing Oberhansley's testimony from Thursday. It wasn't the first outburst from Oberhansley: Clark County Circuit Court Judge Vicki Carmichael briefly cleared the courtroom Thursday after he began shouting as a witness testified.Â
Oberhansley finally calmed down but continued shaking his head as Mull continued his closing argument.Â
During his closing remarks, defense attorney Bart Betteau argued that in order to prove the murder charge, prosecutors must establish that Oberhansley went to Blanton's home with the intent to kill her. He told jurors Oberhansley's purpose for visiting the home was to talk with Blanton and get his property.
Betteau also reminded the jury of crime scene pictures and medical reports presented, claiming the state's evidence does not fully prove burglary or rape.
Mull said Oberhansley is expected to be sentenced Monday. He could face life without parole.Â
Related Stories:
- Testimony begins in 2nd trial of Indiana man accused of killing, cannibalizing woman in 2014
- Oberhansley found competent to stand trial for killing ex-girlfriend
- Tammy Jo Blanton's friend begs for closure 5 years after brutal murder
- Judge declares mistrial in Oberhansley murder case
- Indiana man accused of murdering, cannibalizing ex-girlfriend claims he's 'completely innocent'
- Jeffersonville man accused of killing, cannibalizing girlfriend moved to mental hospital
- New trial date set for Jeffersonville man accused of killing, cannibalizing ex-girlfriend
- Judge: man accused of killing and eating parts of ex-girlfriend not competent for trial
- Accused killer Joseph Oberhansley tells reporters he's not guilty hours after jury chosen in trial
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