Murder trial for accused cannibal continues as prosecutors present forensic evidence

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) -- Jurors in the murder trial of the southern Indiana man charged with killing and cannibalizing his ex-girlfriend six years ago heard testimony from witnesses Wednesday about forensic evidence collected from the victim.

Prosecutors say Joseph Oberhansley raped and murdered Tammy Jo Blanton in the early morning hours of Sept. 11, 2014. According to court documents, he allegedly removed, cooked and ate some of her organs before he was arrested.

On Wednesday, jurors heard from witnesses who testified about semen and DNA samples collected from Blanton and the home on Locust Street, where she died. The medical expert testified that Blanton died from multiple stab wounds to the chest area and that she had cuts on several fingers consistent with trying to stop a knife attack.

Tammy Jo Blanton Crime Scene House — The home on Locust Street in Jeffersonville, Ind. where Tammy Jo Blanton was found dead on Sept. 11, 2014.

Jurors spent most of Tuesday reviewing more than three hours of police interrogating Oberhansley after he was arrested. According to Jeffersonville Detective Isaac Parker, Oberhansley first denied any involvement in Blanton's death but later admitted to murdering her and eating parts of her body.

Testimony on Wednesday described that most of her heart and brain had been removed. During the taped police interview, Oberhansley said he "ate her heart and it's part of me now." Experts said tests found Blanton's DNA in a frying pan and on a plate and utensils in her home.

The jury also heard that Blanton had blunt force injuries all over her body.

The trial is being held in Jeffersonville with jurors from Allen County because of the publicity the case has received since 2014. Oberhansley was originally scheduled to stand trial in August 2019, but the proceedings ended in a mistrial during testimony from the first witness. He was found incompetent for a second trial in January and sent to a mental hospital. It was later determined that his competency had been restored during a second stay there.

He is charged with murder, rape, abuse of a corpse and burglary. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison.

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