Connersville man sentenced to 165 years for triple murder

CONNERSVILLE, Ind. – A Connersville man convicted of killing his wife, aunt and uncle in a stabbing and shooting spree has been sentenced to 165 years in prison.

A judge on Friday sentenced 37-year-old Jason T. Caldwell to 55 years for each murder count and ordered they be served consecutively.

A Fayette County jury last month found Caldwell guilty but mentally ill in the 2005 murders of his wife, Thelma, and his aunt and uncle, Judy and Bill Flanigan.

Special Judge Ron Urdal said he had no doubt Caldwell was mentally ill based on the trial testimony of three psychiatrists and other witnesses.

Prosecutors said Caldwell stabbed Thelma Caldwell in the neck, then shot his aunt in the head while she was bent over caring for Thelma. Caldwell shot his uncle while holding him in a headlock.