Tyler Thompson sentenced to life in prison without parole for fiancée's Noble County murder
CALDWELL — A man recently convicted by a Noble County jury of murdering his fiancée at their Outpost Road home earlier this year was sentenced this week to life in prison without parole by Judge Kelly Riddle.
Tyler Thompson, 29, was convicted of one count of aggravated murder and two counts of murder, all unclassified felonies, following a three-day trial ending with deliberations and guilty verdicts on Nov. 10.
The murder and felony murder offenses merged with the charge of aggravated murder for sentencing resulting in the single life prison sentence for three murder convictions.
Riddle imposed a mandatory three-year prison term against Thompson for a firearm specification conviction that must be served prior to the start of the life sentence based on Ohio law.
Thompson will also serve a 24-month concurrent sentence after being convicted by the jury of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony.
Noble County: Jury convicts Tyler Thompson of three murder charges in shooting death
He was given credit for 246 days while incarcerated in the Noble County Jail, after being arrested for shooting and killing 27-year-old Leah B. Hines on March 21.
Hines was pronounced dead at the home after being shot once in the back, according to Noble County Sheriff Jason Mackie.
At the sentencing hearing, Noble County Prosecutor Jordan Croucher argued for the maximum life sentence without parole, while defense attorney Samuel Shamansky requested a life sentence with eligibility for parole after 23 years.
Prepared statements from representatives of Leah Hines' family were read at the hearing. Thompson did not make any statements to the court based on the advice of his attorney.
Thompson was indicted by a Noble County grand jury on April 14.
According to dispatch logs at the sheriff's office, the shooting was reported just after 1 a.m. on March 21, by a caller who had found Hines unresponsive inside the home.
Hines death was confirmed by Noble County Coroner Dr. R. Alan Spencer.
Deputies located Thompson at a nearby residence, where he was taken into custody.
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An investigation into the circumstances of Hines’ death was conducted by members of the Noble County Sheriff’s Office's Major Crimes Task Force and Ohio BCII.
The charges against Thompson were filed by Croucher and Special Prosecuting Attorney James Lowe of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
The charges alleged Thompson purposely killed Hines with prior calculation and design, and the action was the proximate result of committing or attempting to commit an offense of violence that is a felony of the first or second degree, to wit, felonious assault.
According to Mackie, Thompson was provided notice he is now classified as a violent offender and was notified of his duties to register as a violent offender under Ohio law. He was also provided notice regarding post release control if he is released from prison.
Thompson was remanded to the custody of the Noble County Sheriff’s Office to be transported to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to begin serving the imposed sentences.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Tyler Thompson sentenced to life in prison for murdering his fiancée
