Oechsle

A Blair County Prison inmate awaiting trial for murder is now facing more charges after allegedly assaulting a corrections officer in the facility.

Raymond Thomas Oechsle Jr., 53, was arraigned on Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Paula M. Aigner on one felony count each of aggravated assault and assault by prisoner on a facility employee, as well as one summary count of harassment.

The charges stem from an incident at the prison on Nov. 13. Officers were reportedly attempting to bring Oechsle out of his cell for outdoor recreation time when he resisted being placed in handcuffs, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

Oechsle reached through the cell bars and struck one of the officers in the face with a tablet, according to court documents.

The officer reportedly suffered a bruise and cut on his forehead, police records state.

He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Aigner on Dec. 23.

In April 2023, Oechsle was charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of his 38-year-old neighbor, Christopher Helsel. He allegedly had been living with the dead man’s body in his living room for several days before police arrived.

While in prison on the murder and assault charges, he also allegedly stabbed two fellow inmates and was later reportedly found with a weapon in his cell.

He is currently awaiting trial in all the aforementioned cases.