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Jury Finds Joshua Risinger Guilty But Mentally Ill In Murder Of Jeffrey Givan

Last updated on Tuesday, December 11, 2018

(SALEM) - A Washington County jury found 29-year-old Joshua Risinger guilty in the murder of 62-year-old Jeffrey Charles Givan.

The jury returned with verdict Friday evening: guilty, but mentally ill on the charges of murder, felony murder and arson.

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Givan's body was discovered after a fire destroyed Risinger's mobile home at 221 Teresa Street in Salem on March 14, 2017. His body was burnt so bad he had to be identified through dental records.

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When Salem Firefighters arrived the mobile home was engulfed in flames. After firefighters put out the fire they found a body in the middle of the living room.

According to police, mobile home park manager Roddy Humphrey told police that he saw Risinger walking through the mobile home park.

Salem Police Officer Alex Bilbrey who was patrolling the area found Risinger walking on Jackson Street.

During an interview with police, Risinger told police that he murdered a homeless man named "Gilbert". Risinger told investigators, that he used Givan's lighter to set fire to some papers and he'd taken Givan's cane and broken Givan's phone so he couldn't move or call for help.

Psychologist Dr. Heather Henderson-Galligan and Psychiatrist Dr. George Parker evaluated Risinger. Both testified they found evidence that Risinger suffered psychosis.

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