Two Men Arrested for 2012 Murder
- A retired farmer was murdered in his bedroom in 2012.
- Two men have been arrested in connection with the murder.
- Justice might finally be served for the victim after over 10 years.
In a significant development in a decade-old murder case, Richard Taft, 39, has been indicted for the murder and burglary resulting in bodily harm of 85-year-old Lowell Badger. Badger was discovered dead on December 8, 2012, in his Sullivan County home, having been shot during what investigators believe was a burglary. Items stolen from the residence included a safe and a Sony television. Taft's indictment follows the earlier arrest of William Ray Grimes, the first suspect in the case, who was apprehended three months ago. Taft is currently serving time at the Michigan City Correctional Facility for a separate conviction and is expected to be released in 2031. The new charges against him were filed after extensive police investigations, which included interviews with 58 witnesses. Witness testimonies revealed that Taft exhibited emotional behavior in the months following Badger's death, with some describing him as "crying." Despite his denials of involvement, witnesses reported that Taft provided inconsistent accounts regarding his knowledge of the incident. Lowell Badger was remembered in his obituary as a dedicated member of Kingsley Memorial United Methodist Church since 1960, where he held various leadership roles. He was laid to rest alongside his wife, Nellie, who passed away in 2008, and their son, Byron, who died at the age of seven in 1957.