04/24/2024
Sullivan County Grand Jury Indicts William Ray Grimes for the 2012 Murder of Lowell Badger
Lowell Badger was killed in his home on December 8, 2012. The Indiana State Police have continued to work this case since that day.
In early 2024, Sullivan County Prosecutor Ann Mischler learned she would need to request a special prosecutor for the case. Special Prosecuting Attorneys Rob Roberts (lead), Dave Powell, and Courtney Lawrence were appointed on the case.
On April 17, 2024, a grand jury was impaneled in Sullivan Superior Court to review the case. After six days of evidence and testimony, the grand jury issued a True Bill (indictments) for the following offenses:
William Ray Grimes
Murder, a Class A Felony
Burglary, a Class A Felony
Conspiracy to Commit Burglary, a Class A Felony
Grand Jury proceedings are secret by law. No further information regarding the proceedings will be made available.
"This is the beginning of the criminal process," said Roberts. "Once again, we encourage anyone that has information related to the murder of Mr. Badger to contact the Indiana State Police.”
Grimes is already serving a 40 year sentence.
Sullivan County - February 24, 2023, a sentencing hearing was conducted in Sullivan Superior Court with Honorable Judge Hugh R. Hunt presiding in the State of Indiana versus Billy Ray Grimes.
On September 23, 2022, Prosecutor Ann Mischler charged Billy Ray Grimes, age 37, Merom, with robbery resulting in serious bodily injury and violent felon in possession of a firearm. A jury trial was conducted last week with Special Prosecutor Rob Roberts being the lead prosecutor. The trial took three days and at the conclusion of the trial Grimes was found guilty on all charges.
Due to prior felony convictions against Grimes, he received the habitual offender enhancement with a total of 40 years being handed down by Judge Hugh.