Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Thursday, August 28, 2014
(GIBSON CO.) - A Gibson County jury deliberated for several hours before they made to their decisions and found 25-year-old Austin Blaize guilty of murder and several others charges with a sentence of life without parole.
That means they believe Blaize shot and killed his ex-girlfriend's father, 47-year-old Terry Monier, early last year in Ft. Branch.
The trial took more than a week and in that time, several people took to the stand, including Brittany Jo Monier, Blaize's ex-girlfriend.
She told the courtroom that Blaize fought with her father over a gun before shooting and killing him.
Blaize himself also testified, telling jurors he didn't do it.
Blaize's defense attorney asked the jury to have mercy on Blaize when considering his sentence, but ultimately the prosecution says justice was served.
"As you can imagine, with those many charges, what he faced, it was pretty tense I think, and the deliberation took about 3 1/2 hours, so during that period of time everybody had to kind of sit and wait but ultimately I think justice was served," said Prosecutor Robert Krieg.
Blaize's father tells 14 News despite the verdict, he still believes his son is innocent.
Terry Monier's family was quiet, but emotional, after learning Blaize's fate.
Blaize will be officially sentenced in Gibson County Court on September 25 at 9:00 a.m.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.