Clermont County man convicted of murdering his mother sentenced to 41.5 years

BATAVIA, Ohio (WXIX) - A Clermont County man, who stabbed his own mother to death and then attacked police, was sentenced to 41.5 years in jail on Tuesday.

Joshua Amburgy, 40, pleaded guilty last month to charges of aggravated murder in his mother’s November 2022 slaying as well as felonious assault of a police officer.

Melissa Amburgy, 58, was found stabbed multiple times in the basement of their Miami Township home.

She was airlifted to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

Joshua, who was under community control at the time, fled their home still armed with the knife when police responded. They tracked him to the back patio of a nearby residence.

Wielding the knife, he charged at police despite repeated commands to drop it, according to Miami Township Police Chief Mike Mills.

One officer deployed non-lethal force, a Taser, but it missed, the chief said.

Another officer defended himself against the deadly threat by shooting Joshua in the leg.

Officers immediately rendered aid, applying a tourniquet until medics arrived.

The chief has called the outcome “unfortunate” but said the officers “were forced” into it.

One officer said he is considering leaving the department because of the psychological trauma he endured during the incident.

Joshua was airlifted to the hospital, where he was treated and then released to jail.

Now, a year later, Melissa’s children and Joshua’s siblings asked the judge to give the 40-year-old a lengthy prison sentence because of the psychological impact they have endured.

The siblings added they would feel unsafe if he were ever released.

“I think I feel a little bit of relief that this chapter is over and I think, you know, we got some justice today and that’s how I feel for my mom,” said Jacob Amburgy.

Joshua received 30 years for his mother’s murder and 11.5 years for lunging at the officer during his arrest. The sentences will be served together.

Judge Victor Haddad said he made the sentences consecutive in order to protect the public.

The family of Melissa started a GoFundMe to help raise college tuition funds that will go to a student who has lost a loved one due to homicide.

See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Please include the title when you click here to report it.

Copyright 2023 WXIX. All rights reserved.