WBIW.com News - state

Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana

Convicted Killer Charged In Jeffersonville Woman's Death

Last updated on Monday, September 15, 2014

(JEFFERSONVILLE) - The Clark County prosecutor said his worst fears were realized Thursday when a 46-year-old woman was killed in her Jeffersonville home.

Prosecutor furious that accused murdered was out of jail.

A man on parole for killing his girlfriend and shooting her mother in Utah has been arrested on a murder charged in Jeffersonville.

Police have charged Joseph Oberhansley with murder after police found a woman's body in a home in the 300 block of Locust Road in Jeffersonville on Thursday morning.

Neighbors said Oberhansley lived at the home with a woman.

Around 10 a.m. Thursday neighbors noticed police lights on their street.

"They'd been there for a while. Six cop cars here. Seventh pulled up and that was the one they put him in," said neighbor Edna Hall.

"The man that lived at the home, he was put in the squad car, arrested and taken away and that's the only person I saw taken away," said neighbor Ryan Spitznagel.

Detectives said a phone call from someone concerned about the welfare of someone at the home led them to the discovery.

Joseph Oberhansley has a violent criminal past, including a previous murder conviction.

In 1998, as a teenager, Oberhansley killed his girlfriend in Utah, days after she gave birth.

Mull said he was aware of the man's violent past and asked for a high bond when Oberhansley was charged with fleeing Jeffersonville police in July.

"I would say I am devastated. I went to court to get a high bond on this case because I felt he was dangerous. I was right. He was," Mull said.

Mull convinced a judge to set a $25,000 bond after Oberhansley was arrested on charges of fleeing police this summer.

Another prosecutor agreed to lower it, allowing Tammy Jo Blanton to post only $500.

Blanton was found dead inside a home on Locust Street in Jeffersonville on Thursrday.

The Clark County coroner said Blanton died of multiple sharp-force injuries to the head, neck and torso.

In 1998, Oberhansley was living with his grandparents near Salt Lake City when he got into an argument with his teenaged girlfriend around Christmas.

Oberhansley killed the 17-year-old and shot his mother before turning the gun on himself.

Both were airlifted to a Salt Lake City hospital.

Oberhansley spent 13 years in prison for that killing.

A probable cause affidavit to hold Oberhansley was signed by Judge Vicki Carmichael on Friday afternoon.

More information is expected to be released today.

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.

Click here to go back to previous page