Hursey Sentenced For Role In Syracuse Double Murder
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Michael Anderson-manderson@timesuniononline.com
Thomas Hursey faces 20 years in prison for his role in a 2015 double murder in Syracuse. Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed Thursday handed down the sentence of a total of 27-1/2 years, with 7-1/2 years suspended with probation. He will receive 696 days credit for time already served. Hursey originally was charged with murder but pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. Reed gave Hursey 10 years on the first count and 17-1/2 years on the second count. Joshua Knisley, 19, and Tara Thornburg, 23, were shot and killed in February 2015 after Hursey, Kyle DeHart and Brandon Woody went to Thornburg’s residence to steal her marijuana. Woody and DeHart were convicted of two counts of murder on Oct, 7. They were later sentenced to 120 and 110 years in prison, respectively. Rhonda Bickel, Knisley’s mother, testified at Hursey’s hearing Thursday. “I hate him, and I’m thankful for him at the same time,” she said. Bickel said she hated him for being involved in her son’s murder, but was thankful that he came forward and was a key witness against Woody and DeHart. “He’s the only one of the three who has a conscience,” Bickel said. She added he testified even though Woody allegedly threatened to kill his whole family if he took the stand. Hursey apologized to Bickel’s and Thornburg’s families. “I am so sorry for what I did. I didn’t know they had weapons. I wish I would have tried to stop them,” he said. “The other guys will kill me. I accept that. I don’t want to live with what I did,” Hursey said. During Woody and DeHart’s murder trial, Hursey testified the three men went to Thornburg’s residence to steal marijuana from her. Thornburg led the men upstairs to sell them the pot. She told them to be quiet because her boyfriend, Knisley, was sleeping. Once it became clear the men had no intention of paying for the drugs, a confrontation ensued and Woody shot Thornburg. Hursey testified he and DeHart ran down the stairs after the shot, and heard another shot. In the car, Woody told Hursey he had shot Knisley as well. After being shot, Thornburg was able to make it downstairs and call 911. She identified Woody as the shooter to a 911 dispatcher and Syracuse Officer Joe Denton, who arrived on the scene. She died the next day. Knisley died instantly. Hursey was able to lead police to evidence in the case, including shoes he said DeHart tossed out the window while fleeing the scene. Investigators determined that the shoes were similar in size, shape and tread to the shoe prints at the scene of the crime. Hursey also led them to the burn pile outside DeHart’s residence where police say the men burned their clothes after the murder. During the trial, Hursey testified he received no promise of leniency from Prosecutor Dan Hampton in exchange for his testimony.
