Monday, February 22, 2010

Dad sentenced to 23 years to life for murder of 5-month-old daughter (Hamilton, Ohio)

We've reported on dad VINCENT BLANDA before.

http://www.oxfordpress.com/news/oxford-news/man-who-murdered-infant-daughter-sentenced-560813.html

Man who murdered infant daughter sentenced

By Lauren Pack, Staff Writer
Updated 1:26 PM Monday, February 22, 2010

HAMILTON — A Hamilton father found convicted of killing his infant daughter has been sentenced to 23 year to life in prison.

The sentence was handed down today, Feb 22 by Butler County Common Pleas Judge Patricia Oney, who told Vincent Blanda he has shown no remorse for his actions and, in fact, blamed others for his daughter’s death.

“He has blamed everyone for the death of his daughter,” Oney said, minutes before she sentenced Blanda about 10:45 a.m. She added Blanda told the probation department a teen in the home caused the injuries.

Blanda, 39, shackled and handcuffed, stood emotionless with his defense attorney Jeremy Evans. He remained without expression as his ex-wife sobbed when she told the judge about losing her daughter.

Blanda has been in jail since March 2008, when his daughter Brooklyn died in the hospital after suffering inner-cranial hemorrhage while in his care.

Carmen Vanscyoc, who testified during the three-day trial, said “Vincent Blanda took the life of my new 5-month-old daughter.”

Vanscyoc said Blanda has continued to make her life miserable by calling and writing to Children Services and others in an attempt to disrupt her life.

“He took a beautiful life your honor and he doesn’t deserve anything but to spend the rest of his life in prison,” Vanscyoc said.

Evans argued the child endangering charges should be merged with the murder charge for sentencing, citing an appeals court decision.

Oney declined Evan’s motion, citing a separate decision in the 2006 murder case of 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel of Middletown that said the charges did have to be merged.

Oney sentenced Blanda to 15 years to life in prison for murder, eight years in prison for felony child endangering and an additional six months for domestic violence that will be served consecutive to the child endangering charge.

After the sentencing, family members hugged and thanked Hamilton detectives who investigated the case.

“I thank God,” Vanscyoc said, noting she is relieved he court case is finished.