GUILTY IN - Ryan Martin, 29, murdered in suspect Talmadge Jasper's home, Lafayette, 23 May 2019

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Lafayette man pleads guilty to murder of man inside his apartment

August 26, 2020

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Talmadge Russell Jasper pleaded guilty to murder Wednesday for beating Ryan Martin to death inside Jasper's Pheasant Run apartment on May 23, 2019.

The court will decide at sentencing whether Jasper is mentally ill, and prosecutors will dismiss charges of residential entry and invasion of privacy at sentencing.

Jasper testified Wednesday that he was hearing voices and having hallucinations at the time he kill 29-year-old Martin, who was dating Jasper's ex-girlfriend.
[.....]
Jasper's guilty plea makes the insanity defense a moot issue, but his mental health could be an issue raised during his sentencing hearing.

The plea agreement states that prosecutors will not contest Jasper's claims of being mentally ill.

If Tippecanoe Superior 2 Judge Steve Meyer finds Jasper mentally ill, it will not affect the sentencing range of between 45 and 65 years in prison. It might affect Jasper's placement inside the Department of Corrections so that he can receive mental health treatment.

Jasper's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 2.

Thank you for this.
I am glad TJ pled guilty. Maybe a year of consistent medication brought TJ's thinking and morality back on line. Now everyone who loved or depended on Ryan can move on, if sadly.
When I looked last, Indiana sentencing with all good time and possible reductions etc. 45 years can end up to be 10 years.
 
Lafayette man pleads guilty to murder of man inside his apartment

SBM
10% WS/TOS

About a week before the killing, Jasper purchased a hammer, a tarp, gloves and a saw, he testified Wednesday. The items were part of his plan to kill Martin, he admitted.

"I began hearing voices a week prior," he said, admitting the hammer is the one he used to kill Martin.

He planned to use the tarp to wrap the body and the saw to cut up the carpet he expected to be bloodied from the killing, Jasper testified.

Ask what he did while Martin was sitting on his couch after work that day, Jasper said, "I struck him over the head with a sledgehammer. Four times."

Martin was still breathing after the initial attack, so Jasper grabbed a wire.

"I wrapped it around his neck to suffocate him," he testified Wednesday,

After beating Martin to death, Jasper stuffed Martin's body inside a closet in his bedroom along with bloodied couch cushions.

More @ link
Justice4RYAN
 
It’s a sad case. Mental breakdown or not, it appears RM premeditated this murder. That probably goes against an insanity plea, why he admitted what he did and plead guilty instead.

About a week before the killing, Jasper purchased a hammer, a tarp, gloves and a saw, he testified Wednesday. The items were part of his plan to kill Martin, he admitted.”

We will never know why RM went to TJs apartment that morning but regardless, this whole tragedy just seems so senseless. If nobody else suspected TJ had serious mental health issues and could be dangerous - not family, friends or coworkers - I’d be surprised but what often happens is people are just written off as just being a little quirky or odd. Toss in the possibility of illegal drugs or alcohol into the mix and lives are lost/shattered/changed forever.
 
It’s a sad case. Mental breakdown or not, it appears RM premeditated this murder. That probably goes against an insanity plea, why he admitted what he did and plead guilty instead.
Does he have any ties in Delphi?
About a week before the killing, Jasper purchased a hammer, a tarp, gloves and a saw, he testified Wednesday. The items were part of his plan to kill Martin, he admitted.”

We will never know why RM went to TJs apartment that morning but regardless, this whole tragedy just seems so senseless. If nobody else suspected TJ had serious mental health issues and could be dangerous - not family, friends or coworkers - I’d be surprised but what often happens is people are just written off as just being a little quirky or odd. Toss in the possibility of illegal drugs or alcohol into the mix and lives are lost/shattered/changed forever.
 

I see your question accidentally got inserted into my post above. Yes, earlier posters here on this thread stated TJ was originally from Delphi but I’m not sure of the source. It sure does give food for thought.

ETA- His name appears on the Academic Quiz Tournaments - Delphi High School 2014-18.
NAQT | Delphi Community High School | Players
 
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Thank you for this.
I am glad TJ pled guilty. Maybe a year of consistent medication brought TJ's thinking and morality back on line. Now everyone who loved or depended on Ryan can move on, if sadly.
When I looked last, Indiana sentencing with all good time and possible reductions etc. 45 years can end up to be 10 years.
Wow @Boxer where did you see the reductions at? I thought the new law a few years back made it where for violent crimes they have to serve at least 75% of the time.
 
Wow @Boxer where did you see the reductions at? I thought the new law a few years back made it where for violent crimes they have to serve at least 75% of the time.
I would have to go back, but it was the sentencing guidlines for Indiana major crime felonies.
I originally looked due to Garett Kirts, and was shocked to see he might only serve 10 years in the end for the torture murder of his girlfriend.
If there is a stronger rule enacted after the statutes I read, I am glad.

In term s of TJ, such a sad story.
Hope he gets a job when he gets out and helps Ryan's daughter get to college.


I will try to find the sentencing and good time guidelines again.
 
I would have to go back, but it was the sentencing guidlines for Indiana major crime felonies.
I originally looked due to Garett Kirts, and was shocked to see he might only serve 10 years in the end for the torture murder of his girlfriend.
If there is a stronger rule enacted after the statutes I read, I am glad.

In term s of TJ, such a sad story.
Hope he gets a job when he gets out and helps Ryan's daughter get to college.


I will try to find the sentencing and good time guidelines again.

It is such a sad story. I can't imagine what his daughter and family are going through as well as TJ family. Hopefully he is able to get the mental health he deserves. Other cases I have followed there is usually restitution ordered at sentencing. My guess would be he would have to pay that when he gets out.
 
I'll have to wait for @Tippy Lynn to let me know IF this is still a "go" for today....
Case: Tippacanoe County #79D02-1905-MR-1

Monday, November 2nd:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ am CT) - IN – Ryan Allen Martin (29) (missing & found (in Jasper’s bedroom closet) May 23, 2019, Lafayette) - *Talmadge Russell Jasper (19/now 20) arrested (5/23/19) & preliminary charged (5/24/19) with murder, residential entry & invasion of privacy. Plead not guilty by reason of insanity. No bond.
Trial was set to begin on 2/25/20 continued to 9/22/20 & cancelled due to guilty plea on 8/26/20.
5/30/19 Update: First appearance hearing held. Probable cause found. Formal pending charges read: Murder, Residential Entry break & enter dwelling (Felony 6) & Invasion of Privacy-Violates protective order (Misdemeanor). No plea entered. Held without bond. Next pretrial hearing on 9/27. Trial set for 10/22.
6/7/19 Update: Defense files motion for pre-trial discovery.
9/17/19: Notice of Intent To File Insanity Defense and Hearing To Determine Competence To Stand Trial on 9/27 at 8:30am. Jasper's attorney filed a request Tuesday (9/17/19) asking the court to appoint two psychiatrists to examine Jasper and determine whether he's competent to stand trial. The filing asked that the court receive reports from these psychiatrists, then set a hearing to determine whether Jasper should stand trial in his current state.
9/27/19 Update: Held. Trial for 10/22 has been cancelled. Next pretrial conference hearing on 1/31/20 & trial has been set for 2/25/20 @ 8:30am.
1/31/20 Update: Motion for trial continuance-granted. By agreement of counsel, trial scheduled for 2/25/20 has been cancelled & trial will be continued to Sept. 22, 2020 at 8:30 am with a pretrial hearing date of Aug. 26, 2020 at 8:30am.
8/26/20 Update: Jasper pleaded guilty to murder Wednesday for beating Ryan Martin to death inside Jasper's Pheasant Run apartment on May 23, 2019. The court will decide at sentencing whether Jasper is mentally ill, and prosecutors will dismiss charges of residential entry & invasion of privacy at sentencing. Jasper's guilty plea makes the insanity defense a moot issue, but his mental health could be an issue raised during his sentencing hearing. The plea agreement states that prosecutors will not contest Jasper's claims of being mentally ill. If Tippecanoe Superior 2 Judge Steve Meyer finds Jasper mentally ill, it will not affect the sentencing range of between 45 & 65 years in prison. It might affect Jasper's placement inside the Dept. of Corrections so that he can receive mental health treatment. Jasper's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 2.
 
@Niner


State of Indiana v. Talmadge Russell Jasper
Case Number 79D02-1905-MR-000001
Court Tippecanoe Superior Court 2
Type MR - Murder
Filed 05/30/2019


09/22/2020
CANCELED Jury Trial
Reason:
Other
Session:
09/22/2020 8:30 AM, Cancelled
10/09/2020
Notice of Exclusion of Confidential Information
Cover Sheet
Filed By:
Tippecanoe Co Probation
File Stamp:
10/09/2020

10/09/2020
Conditions of Probation
Conditions of Probation
Party:
Tippecanoe Co Probation
Order Signed:
10/09/2020
10/09/2020
Pre-Sentence Investigation Report Filed
PSI
Filed By:
Tippecanoe Co Probation
File Stamp:
10/09/2020

10/15/2020
Document Filed
PSI Addendum
Filed By:
Tippecanoe Co Probation
File Stamp:
10/15/2020

10/27/2020
Motion for Continuance Filed
Motion To Continue
Filed By:
Jasper, Talmadge Russell
File Stamp:
10/27/2020

10/28/2020
Automated ENotice Issued to Parties
Motion for Continuance Filed ---- 10/27/2020 : Patrick Franklin Manahan;Patrick K Harrington

10/28/2020
Order Granting Motion for Continuance
Noticed:
Harrington, Patrick K
Noticed:
Tippecanoe Co Probation
Noticed:
Manahan, Patrick Franklin
Order Signed:
10/28/2020
10/29/2020
Automated ENotice Issued to Parties
Order Granting Motion for Continuance ---- 10/28/2020 : Patrick Franklin Manahan;Tippecanoe Co Probation;Patrick K Harrington

11/02/2020
Telephonic Attorney Conference
Session:
11/02/2020 1:30 PM, Judicial Officer: Meyer, Steven P
 
@Tippy Lynn - me again! :D
Anything new on the court site for next hearing for sentencing?

TIA!
animated-smileys-waving-007.gif
 
@Niner

State of Indiana v. Talmadge Russell Jasper
Case Number 79D02-1905-MR-000001
Court Tippecanoe Superior Court 2
Type MR - Murder
Filed 05/30/2019

11/02/2020
Telephonic Attorney Conference
Session:
11/02/2020 1:30 PM, Judicial Officer: Meyer, Steven P
11/02/2020
Notice of Exclusion of Confidential Information
Notice To Court of Exclusion of Confidential inforamtion
Filed By:
Jasper, Talmadge Russell
File Stamp:
11/02/2020

11/02/2020
Hearing Scheduling Activity
Sentencing Hearing scheduled for 01/04/2021 at 2:30 PM.

11/03/2020
Automated ENotice Issued to Parties
Hearing Scheduling Activity ---- 11/2/2020 : Patrick Franklin Manahan;Patrick K Harrington

01/04/2021
Sentencing Hearing
Session:
01/04/2021 2:30 PM, Judicial Officer: Meyer, Steven P

Indiana Supreme Court public access case search - MyCase
 
Did anyone notice that the case was postponed again? Whats everyone's thoughts?
 
Did anyone notice that the case was postponed again? Whats everyone's thoughts?

The reason given is the Court’s Own Motion. Only my guess, perhaps the Court is dealing with a backlog of Hearings due to COVID-19.

12/29/2020
Hearing Scheduling Activity
Sentencing Hearing originally scheduled on 01/04/2021 at 2:30 PM was rescheduled to 02/23/2021 at 1:30 PM. Reason: Court's Own Motion.
Indiana Supreme Court public access case search - MyCase
 

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