JURY FINDS DEFENDANT GUILTY OF DOUBLE HOMICIDE

Evansville, IN – Prosecutor Diana Moers announces that on June 26, 2024, a jury found John Cameron Parker guilty of murdering Michael Blankenship Jr. and Mitchell Greathouse. Deputy Prosecutors Stan Levco and Brett Niemeier represented the State in this case. The Honorable Magistrate Judge Ryan C. Reed of the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court presided.

On the evening of October 21, 2023, Parker and his two coconspirators drove to 2658 Mt Vernon Avenue where Parker shot the two victims. Surveillance footage picked up the Defendant walking into the residence at approximately 7:50pm and leaving hastily at 7:51pm. Surveillance footage also picked up a vehicle in the alley behind the residence with three individuals – a driver, a “lookout”, and the Defendant in this case. Human blood was later located on the vehicle’s handles. After the murder, Parker and his “lookout”, Caden Harms, burnt their clothes in a grill. Harms admitted his involvement to Evansville Police Department Detectives soon after the shooting and later plead guilty to aiding in a murder. Harms received a 45-year sentence.

The State presented video footage from the crime scene, coconspirator testimony, DNA and ballistic evidence at trial. After less than three hours of deliberation, the jury found John Cameron Parker guilty. Prosecutor Moers commented on the case: “This case is a representation of excellent detective work led by the Evansville Police Department Detective Dillon Powers which was followed up in the courtroom by Deputy Prosecutors Stan Levco and Brett Niemeier to swiftly gain a conviction for both murders in under three hours.”

Moers went on to say: “This case underscores the absolute risk those willing to commit murder undertake in today’s Vanderburgh County. Each murder makes our community worse. Victims’ families suffer, children suffer, and we are less safe. People will not tolerate living and working in a community that is violent. No stone will be left unturned when continuing to decrease violence – and for my part- we will be ready for any battle in court to gain convictions in these cases on behalf of the victims’ families and the community at large.”

Prosecutor Moers thanks her Deputy Prosecutors, Evansville Police Department Detectives Dillon Powers and Chris Jones, and all the officers who assisted in the investigation. Further, Prosecutor Moers thanks her investigations team including Jennifer Savage, Morgan Richardville, Paralegal Kiersten Butler, and Victim Advocate Robyn Mastison for their assistance in the case.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 23, 2024, in front of the Honorable Magistrate Judge Ryan C. Reed of the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court. The Defendant could face up to 65 years for each count of Murder.

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