Sullivan, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – “Please don’t hurt me. Take what you want” were among the last words said by retired farmer Lowell Bagder before he was shot in the head. That’s according to testimony from a co-defendant at the murder trial of William Grimes.
Richard Taft is one of three men charged in the death of the 85-year-old in December 2012. He testified Monday that he saw Grimes struggle with Badger, punching Badger in the head and stomach. He said Badger was on his hands a knees asking Grimes not to hurt him when Grimes said, “F—k that, he knows who we are” and shot him.
Taft claimed he was so freaked out by the shooting, he ran out of Badger’s house and hit a wooded area along the fence row. Taft was later picked up by a female friend. As Taft described what happened to Badger, some of Badger’s family members inside the courtroom began to cry.
On the witness stand, Taft also said earlier in the evening he had gone to Grimes mother’s house. William Grimes and his brother Arthur, who is also charged in this case, was there and they all did meth together.
The trio later decided to go poach deer, and after riding around the countryside for a while, William Grimes said he might know where they could get “pills and money,” and they went to Badger’s home. In testimony last week, Special Prosecutor Rob Roberts presented evidence that Grimes may have believed Badger was going to be out of town that night.
Taft’s testimony is pivotal in the case because there’s no DNA evidence linking Grimes to the crime and the murder weapon has never been recovered. Taft is currently serving 16 years in prison for dealing meth. Taft said he came forward with information because he was “tired of (it) being on his mind.”
On cross-examination Grimes defense attorney attempted to show that Taft’s testimony was motivated by a chance to get a reduced sentence and to be moved to a better prison. In court, the special prosecutor talked about a deal to drop the murder charges against Taft for his truthful testimony, although all of the other charges Taft faces surrounding Badger’s death could still land him in prison for 40 years.
In the afternoon, Master Trooper BJ Patterson took the stand. He was assigned to review the investigation into the Badger murder that was more than 10 years old. He explained the diligence it took to go through all of the files and how other potential suspects were eliminated.
The prosecution rested its case.
The defense will call witnesses when court resumes Tuesday morning.
