Uchyn went to trial starting Jan. 21 on two counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated robbery.
The jury found Uchyn not guilty of the aggravated murder and aggravated robbery charges, but guilty of the lesser charges.
Credit: Darke County Jail
Credit: Darke County Jail
Aggravated murder and murder are both unclassified felonies. The aggravated robbery charge was a first-degree felony but the grand theft of a motor vehicle charge is a fourth-degree felony.
Uchyn’s sentencing is scheduled for Thursday.
He’s accused of killing Michele Phipps and James Donnelly on April 13, 2023.
Darke County sheriff’s deputies responded to the house they shared with Uchyn at 4289 Weavers-Fort Jefferson Road in Neave Twp., south of Greenville, after two women reported the deaths around 5 a.m. on April 14.
About 10½ hours earlier deputies had responded to the same house for a 911 hang-up call.
Uchyn met deputies in the driveway and reportedly said he made the call regarding a theft and assault. The perpetrator of the alleged assault had left.
“This report was a ruse he created to prevent the deputies from discovering the murder that had likely just occurred,” Sheriff Mark Whittaker said at the time.
Investigators believe Phipps called 911. The caller provided an address before the call ended abruptly. There was no answer when dispatchers called back.
Uchyn fled in Phipps' 2022 Chevrolet Equinox but was arrested on April 14 in Chicago.
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