A jury has been selected to hear the case of a Lancaster city man who was slain 16 months ago in his apartment.
Trial begins Monday morning for Vandy Blankenship, charged with killing 60-year-old Donald Reinmiller, his part time roommate, inside 814 N. Lime St. on Sept. 3, 2014.
A jury was selected Thursday and Friday. Opening statements are expected Monday morning.
Prosecutors will have several pieces of evidence available which were challenged by Blankenship’s defense, but were recently ruled admissible by a Lancaster County judge.
Among those:
- Blankenship’s clothes and shoes, which were seized after Reinmiller was found dead.
- Blankenship’s statements to police, following the killing.
Reinmiller was fatally stabbed in the neck and strangled, found in the kitchen of his apartment.
Police found a bottle of Lysol, with blood on it, and a blood on Blankenship’s shoes. Bloody prints, believed to be from Blankenship’s shoes were found at the scene.
Police allege Blankenship tried to clean the crime scene after killing Reinmiller.
County Judge Jeffery Wright will preside over the case.
Assistant District Attorney Mark Fetterman is lead prosecutor, assisted by Assistant District Attorney Trista Boyd.
Lancaster city police Detective Aaron Harnish filed charges.
Blankenship is presumed innocent.
(See CrimeWatch/Twitter for his photo.)
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us;
Twitter: @BrettHambright