Convicted murderer back in prison

Daily Journal staff reports

A former Edinburgh man who was on probation for a 1985 murder has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for robbing a Morgan County bank.

Joseph G. “Jody” Everroad, 53, was sentenced to 60 years in prison in 1988 for the murder of Wesley Tichenor. Earlier this month, he was sentenced for his conviction by a Morgan County jury of armed robbery and theft in connection with a 2012 robbery at the First Merchants Bank in Morgantown.

Everroad also is facing additional prison time for a probation violation charge, which could add 10 years to his sentence, Morgan County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Harold Blake said.

Everroad used a handgun during the bank robbery and left with about $6,000. Police were able to track Everroad to his home on the southside after tracking his cellphone use, Blake said.

Everroad served about 22 years of his sentence in the murder of Tichenor, a Columbus used-car salesman. Tichenor was found dead Oct. 4, 1985, in his office. He had been shot 18 times and bludgeoned with a sledgehammer.

Everroad had claimed that he was not the killer. He said he left the dealership before Tichenor was killed and returned only to pick up shell casings left from the shooting.

In 1998, the court ordered that 10 years of Everroad’s sentence be reduced for good behavior. While he was in prison, Everroad also received additional credit for earning a bachelor’s degree.

Indiana Department of Correction spokesman Doug Garrison said the court approved Everroad’s release on probation.