Oxford Ohio Man Sentenced for Murder and Obstruction Charges of Hanover Woman

The conviction comes following a weeklong trial for the murder that occurred in 2025

JEFFERSON COUNTY, INDIANA — Nigel “Nati Bang” Thomas (36) of Oxford, OH was sentenced on, October 26, 2026, by Judge D.J. Mote in Jefferson County Circuit Court following his jury trial convictions for Murder and Level 6 felony Obstruction of Justice on September 22, 2026.

The State, represented by Prosecuting Attorney David Sutter and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Mary Jean Stotts, presented evidence during the sentencing hearing, including victim impact letters from Wilma Gayle Robertson’s family and friends. The letters described the profound loss suffered by those who knew Wilma as a nurturing mother, protective sister, a loving cousin, a best friend.

“I want Wilma to be remembered as more than the way she died… She was loved. She mattered. She had a family who needed her” shared Marsha Robertson, Wilma’s sister.

Detective Yancy Denning testified during the hearing regarding the arrest of Shawn Bailey, who Thomas framed for Robertson’s murder. The State further presented three (3) recorded jail calls placed by Thomas after his conviction. In the calls, Thomas urged his family members to release a mixtape of his songs, including the song, “Evil Soulmate”, that he recorded about Wilma.

During sentencing, the State argued several aggravating factors for both counts, while the defense offered few mitigating factors. Thomas made a statement in allocution and shared with the Court that he did not feel like a murderer or a monster and asserted that “I didn’t choose to throw my life away” continuing to say that “Wilma is now free”. In his statement, he did not show remorse for his actions but focused on the impact incarceration would have on his own life.

After hearing arguments from both parties and considering the evidence, Judge Mote pronounced the sentence for Thomas. Mote acknowledged the profound experiences shared in the victim impact letters presented at the hearing, stating, “You turned this family’s life upside down forever.” Mote also addressed the impact Thomas’s actions had on Shawn Bailey, who was arrested after Thomas framed him for Robertson’s murder. “Your actions, Mr. Thomas, led to the arrest of a completely innocent man. I can’t imagine what he went through psychologically; and you did that,” Mote stated.

The court gave no mitigating weight to Thomas’s allocution, citing his continued focus on the consequences of his actions for himself rather than the harm caused to others. “Your choices are why we are here; you sit here today and say I'll never sing again, think about me and what this has done to me,” said Mote.

“You chose to kill her; you chose this future you are looking at. Ms. Robertson didn't choose this. Her children didn't choose this.”

After considering the evidence, arguments, and aggravating and mitigating circumstances presented by both parties, the court found that the aggravating factors far outweighed any mitigators. Judge Mote sentenced Thomas to 62 1/2 years for Murder and 2 1/2 years for Level 6 felony Obstruction of Justice. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively,resulting in a total sentence of 65 years at the Indiana Department of Correction.

“We appreciate Judge Mote’s careful consideration in imposing a sentence that reflects the seriousness of Thomas’s crimes. Those crimes reached beyond Wilma and her family. Shawn Bailey, an innocent man, was arrested and charged because Thomas set out to frame him, and his life was upended through no fault of his own. No sentence can undo the loss of Wilma or the lasting impact of her death on those who loved her. We hope the end of this case marks the beginning of healing for her family, as the focus shifts away from Thomas and toward remembering Wilma’s life and honoring her memory,” said Prosecutor David Sutter.