By C1 Staff
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) wants an Indiana man accused of murdering his former girlfriend and eating part of her body to receive a vegan diet while he is in custody, saying it could help protect jail staff.
Reuters reports that PETA sent a letter last week to Clark County, Indiana Acting Sheriff Brian Meyer, encouraging him to provide a diet free of animal products to Joseph Oberhansley.
Oberhansley is accused of breaking into the home of his ex-girlfriend Tammy Jo Blanton, murdering her and abusing her corpse by eating parts of it.
PETA’s letter noted that other correctional facilities had seen a decrease in violence after switching to vegetarian meals.
Lindsay Rajit, PETA’s associate director of campaigns, wrote that opting to feed the inmate “only vegan foods could diminish that bloodlust and might even help protect staff and neighboring inmates.”
Meyer did not return calls seeking comment. Oberhansley is currently being held without bail in the Clark County jail; his trial is expected to start in February.