Man who stabbed wife gets 70 years

• A Muncie man who repeatedly stabbed his wife was sentenced Wednesday to 70 years in prison.
• Judge John Feick had found Eddy Buchanan guilty — but mentally ill — of attempted murder.
• Buchanan’s sentence was increased by 30 years because he was found to be a habitual offender.
• The Muncie man said his wife should have been more concerned about his battle with mental illness.

MUNCIE – A Muncie man who repeatedly stabbed his wife with a butcher knife was sentenced Wednesday to 70 years in prison.

After a bench trial, Delaware Circuit Court 4 Judge John Feick in July found Eddy Lee Buchanan, 48, guilty — but mentally ill — of attempted murder and criminal confinement.

Testimony indicated Buchanan in January 2012 stabbed his wife six times after accusing her of infidelity, piercing her liver, a lung and the protective sack surrounding her heart. The victim lost about 50 percent of her blood.

At Wednesday’s hearing, Buchanan said he had attempted suicide not long before the attack, and was placed in the psychiatric ward at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.

“I never asked for anyone to come and get me out,” he said. “None of this would have happened if (his spouse) had left me there.”

The defendant also suggested his victim should have been “more concerned” about his battles with mental illness.

Deputy Prosecutor Joe Orick called Buchanan’s comments “another perfect example of blaming the victim,” and urged the judge to impose a sentence that would incarcerate the Muncie man “hopefully for the rest of his life.”

Feick imposed a 40-year sentence for Buchanan’s convictions, and 30 more years as a habitual offender penalty, for a total of 70 years.

Buchanan’s criminal record includes convictions for criminal confinement, battery resulting in injury, interference with the reporting of a crime, carrying a handgun without a license, resisting law enforcement, public intoxication, conversion and disorderly conduct.

The judge said he would recommend Buchanan be placed in a state Department of Correction facility where he can receive treatment and counseling.

“Eddy has some serious mental health issues that need to be addressed,” public defender Chris Teagle said.

Buchanan said he would appeal his convictions and sentence.

Contact news reporter Douglas Walker at (765) 213-5851. You can also follow him on Twitter @DouglasWalkerSP.