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.
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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.