BREAKING: 2nd arrest made in the Lowell Badger murder

EDITORS NOTE: A previous version of this article listed William Grimes as serving a 40-year prison sentence in an unrelated case. However, earlier this year the Indiana Supreme Court dismissed that case.

SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Update 1:02 p.m.: Documents released today show the extraordinary efforts of investigators who were trying to solve the murder of Lowell R. Badger of Sullivan County.

“Indiana State Police along with the special prosecutor Rob Roberts and the Sullivan County Prosecutors were able to make an additional arrest of Richard Taft, who is incarcerated at the Michigan City facility right now,” Sgt. Matt Ames with Indiana State Police said.

According to a probable cause affidavit (PCA) filed in Sullivan Superior Court Richard D. Taft of Sullivan was indicted after detectives interviewed 58 witnesses. According to Indiana Department of Corrections, Taft is currently being held in Indiana State Prison in Michigan City due to previous charges of conspiracy/dealing in methamphetamine. His current soonest release date is in 2031. He is now the second man indicted in the case after William Ray Grimes was arrested in April.

Several witnesses refer to Taft being incredibly emotional and crying in the days and months following Badger’s murder. The PCA states that several witnesses claim Taft had varying stories regarding his involvement in the incident. Taft was interviewed on several occasions by law enforcement, always denying any involvement.

In an interview, one witness claimed that Taft said he had the gun but couldn’t pull the trigger. At that time he said another person involved told him he’d show him how it was done before that person fired and killed Badger. The Probable Cause Affidavit names the individual that Taft claims fired the gun. Due to no charges being filed at this time, WTWO has chosen not to name that individual.

Another witness stated that Taft claimed that he was the one who took the gun and pulled the trigger.

The PCA also describes the account of a witness who claimed to have met and picked up Taft on the morning of December 8, 2012, when the murder was first discovered. The witness said he was contacted by William Grimes asking her to give Taft a ride back to town.

The witness arrived at a building resembling a church in Graysville, IN where Taft was said to have been hiding in tall weeds behind the building. The witness said Taft gave instruction to drive in the opposite direction as police presence could be seen nearby. The witness told investigators that they dropped Taft off at his apartment in downtown Sullivan.

The affidavit states that the Indiana State Police investigation remained active over the years, however, renewed emphasis was put on the case in 2023, including full-time manpower.

“Each additional lead that continues to come into our office, we are following up on them at this time,” Ames said. “We continue to go to the community as they continue to hear more information. No matter how small the information may be and you don’t think it may be pertinent to the case, please come forward with that information. We have detectives standing by and ready to talk to you to be able to take all the pieces and put it together so that we can have a good prosecution when it is time to go to trial.”

In September of 2023, the same witness mentioned above took investigators to the location where she found Taft on the morning of December 8. The PCA states the location was one-mile due north of the Badger residence. Investigators noted the residence could be seen from that location.

The affidavit requested a warrant for Taft for the following charges:

• Richard D. Taft, 39
  • Murder
  • Burglary resulting in bodily injury (x2)
    • Class A felony

“The Indiana State Police is going to do a thorough investigation, and they are going to provide that information to the prosecutor’s office to make sure that they have a sealed case, get this prosecuted, and get these individuals that are responsible for this terrible crime behind bars,” Ames said. “It will be closure for the family as well.”

William (Billy) R. Grimes is currently in custody due to charges from his arrest in April in the Badger case.

• William R. Grimes
  • Murder
  • Burglary
    • Class A Felony
  • Conspiracy to Commit Burglary
    • Class A Felony

“We believe that the county and community is safe at this time,” Ames said. “There is nothing else affiliated with this case as we are making sure that the people who are responsible are getting arrested. Unfortunately, it has taken a while to do that. But, by making sure that we have been diligent in our investigation it has allowed us to get at least two people for this hideous crime that was committed to the Lowell Badger family.”

The investigation is ongoing.

“Indiana State Police will continue the investigation. If you know something or if you’ve heard something, say something,” Sgt. Ames said.

You can read the entire PCA document here:

ORIGINAL: Indiana State Police announce an additional arrest has been made in the Lowell R. Badger homicide investigation.

The homicide occurred sometime between Friday, December 7, and the morning of December 8, in 2012 in Sullivan County.

Sullivan Superior Court Judge Hugh Hunt issued a warrant for murder on August 13 for 39-year-old Richard D. Taft. The Indiana Department of Corrections served the warrant to Taft, who is incarcerated at the Michigan City Correctional Facility.

• Richard D. Taft, 39
  • Murder
  • Burglary resulting in bodily injury (x2)
    • Class A felony

The felony is listed as a class A rather than a level due to the date of the crime being before Indiana transitioned to a numbered-level system.

Indiana State Police was assisted by the Sullivan County Prosecutor’s Office, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department, Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office, IPAC, and the Indiana Department of Corrections.

Badger was an 85-year-old retired Sullivan County farmer who was found deceased in his rural home on the morning of December 8, 2012.

This is a developing story, we’ll continue to keep you updated as we learn more information.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 59.