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Buis arrested for reckless homicide

Wednesday, April 28, 2010 ~ Updated 1:08 AM
BY JAMIE BARRAND, Editor

GREENCASTLE -- A Greencastle man was arrested today and preliminarily charged with felony reckless homicide.

Matthew Buis, 39, was lodged in the Putnam County Jail for his alleged role in the death of Clifford Hulse, 57.

Putnam County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Doug Nally said he was not at liberty to discuss many details of the case yet, but he did confirm that a firearm is believed to have been involved.

"We were called out this morning at 3 a.m. to a resident at Van Bibber Lake," Nally said.

A press release from the Putnam County Prosecutor's Office said Hulse's death was "under investigation," and that "the prosecutor's office will not make a determination as to what charges will be filed in this case until Dr. (Roland) Kohr has performed an autopsy."

That autopsy, according to the release, will be conducted at 8 a.m. Wednesday in Terre Haute.

"After the conclusion of the autopsy, meeting with the sheriff's department detectives on this case and reviewing all statements taken, a decision will then be made as to what, if any, charges will be filed," the release said.

Putnam County Jail representatives confirmed that Buis was an inmate. No court dates have been set, but Indiana statute dictates that an initial hearing must be held "promptly" -- in most cases within 48 hours.

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  • VBL LAKE, LOTS OF COWBOYS THREE.

    -- Posted by wil8139us on Tue, Apr 27, 2010, at 4:20 PM

  • Making comments about VBL with your grammar? Wow

    -- Posted by flygal026 on Tue, Apr 27, 2010, at 5:44 PM

  • Because he shot and killed the guy over cards is why I lived out there and Buis was always drinking so this does not surprise me that he's setting in PCJ VBLFD will be better off

    -- Posted by cooper2004 on Tue, Apr 27, 2010, at 9:28 PM

  • The BG likes to report on stories they do not have all of the information on! They wait for comments to be made so they can fill in their missing information. Or maybe there is not enough small town drama...so they let us make comments on here to create some!

    -- Posted by Sunflowermel on Tue, Apr 27, 2010, at 10:23 PM

  • All news agencies publish stories as they are developing.

    -- Posted by Eagle78 on Tue, Apr 27, 2010, at 10:26 PM

  • Drama is right! I'm in total agreement with lowsulphur.

    -- Posted by '74tiger on Tue, Apr 27, 2010, at 10:44 PM

  • Well go read the news web pages like wishtv.com it says cards(poker) same thing AND that alcohol was involved and that he had his guns taken away and was just recently given them back so whatever...

    -- Posted by cooper2004 on Tue, Apr 27, 2010, at 11:42 PM

  • That comment by gc91 won't last long.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Wed, Apr 28, 2010, at 5:24 AM

  • This community is a property owners association and one would think that part of there job would be to protect the owners and prserve thier property values. For thirty years these board members have let down the community. These so called old people want to sit on the board with no clue how to change things for the better. They are afraid of change.

    -- Posted by cntybntyhunter on Wed, Apr 28, 2010, at 7:50 AM

  • All news agencies report stories without all the FACTS for many reasons,but the bottom line is it's NEWS,thats thier job!I have to agree with loveand peace1,can't we ALL just get along!My paryers go out to both families.

    -- Posted by obeone on Wed, Apr 28, 2010, at 9:42 AM

  • I believe the families of both of these men deserve prayers...

    -- Posted by interestedperson on Wed, Apr 28, 2010, at 10:49 AM

  • I have read the comments in regard to this aarticle and I am not surprised to see the ignorance of some of the comments. I have lived at VBL fo 7 years and I appreciate the community and the people. I have never commented, or given my opioion in the past, but I feel the need at this time. I have had the opportunity to know Matt and I had the opportunity to spend some time with him the past 2 weekends. I also had the opportunity to spend time with Cliff, at Matt's house,2 weekends ago. They are both good people. Matt is a very caring man who volunteered to save lives. He has checked on me numerous times inthe past after I suffered from a heart attack. He has also checked on my dogs when I was going through a divorce. Anyway, I will pray for Matt and both of their families. This is an unfortunate situation where many lives have been touched and hurt.

    -- Posted by harlan1234 on Wed, Apr 28, 2010, at 12:08 PM

  • Hello, Im the victs son and do not appreciate the comment about fighting over a card game because that is not what happen. Thats all Im gonna say. Also thank you for your prayers.

    -- Posted by justinhls on Wed, Apr 28, 2010, at 2:44 PM

  • justin.. my prayers are with you. i knew your dad and he was a very sweet man.. would do anything for anybody.. RIP cliff..

    -- Posted by danilynn on Wed, Apr 28, 2010, at 3:00 PM

  • cntybntyhunter - Why do you look to your POA to protect you? Protect you from what, crime? Crime can happen anywhere. I, too, live in a POA community and the only person I look to to keep me safe from crime is myself. I only expect my POA to do what is best for us as a community not as an individual. If you do not like the way those "so called old people" are running it than volunteer your time and run for a seat on the VBL board.

    As far as the "drama" comments go, get real, everyone on here is on here to read the comments and either agree or disagree with them. If we agree, great, some will comment and say so. If someone doesn't agree then they will say "comment section should be shut down", "victims family shouldn't have to read these comments", "BG is to blame" Come on people, we all need to take responsiblity for our own actions, not expect someone (BG, government, police, etc...) to do it for us. JMO.

    -- Posted by NotSoInnocent on Wed, Apr 28, 2010, at 6:37 PM

  • As far as vbl being a POA yes it is, but the POA has a MEMBERSHIP that VOTES on the rules of the community. The members that showed up at the last meeting VOTED to fire the POLICE we had patroling the community to PROTECT the members and their property. It is NOT the job of the POA itself to do police work nor is it in their power to step foot on private property. they have no more power than the common citizen to enforce ANY STATE law. If they had there would be alot of people with pig pens for yards, and junk in the driveway that would be un happy. The board members are not OLD as entybnty proclaims and they also are fellow property owners who have to work with the rules voted on by the members ONCE a year and the LAWS of the STATE concerning property ownership. IF you don't like it, go to the annual meeting, get on the board. Then you can make a change or at least KNOW what you are talking about.

    As far as Matt and Cliff the news only printed the info/rumors they heard there was more than a card game going on and it is up to the investigators to weed out the truth.

    I am not a POA Board member, I am a poperty owner and a family member of one the individuals

    involved.

    -- Posted by jafo on Wed, Apr 28, 2010, at 6:44 PM

  • as for matt i met him once along time ago,he was nice as i remember,this is going to be hard on everyone concerned.everyone should keep all parties in prayer.now is not the time to judge,now is the time for compassion.

    -- Posted by freepraisevictory on Wed, Apr 28, 2010, at 7:52 PM

  • We live at VBL and this was a murder! It was NOT over a card game. Cliff and some of his friends were playing poker, but when Matt came in and shot Cliff, there was only Cliff and his friend Brad! It does NOT MATTER if Matt was a nice guy or not. MATT took a life!! Matt has issues with his temper and was a drinker with a gun. Matt should have NOT gotten his GUN BACK!! Matt had his guns taken away before over him shooting it while he was drunk and threaten people with his gun. Matt was a ticking time bomb. When he didn't drink he was nice. Remember Matt came into Cliff's garage and killed him! Matt was NOT PLAYING CARDS!! Matt always carried his guns. It was a known fact around here in VBL. Prayers needed to be sent to the loved ones left behind from this nightmare. We are home owners we knew both guys.

    -- Posted by wolf angel on Wed, Apr 28, 2010, at 8:02 PM

  • Dale, I'm pertty sure you dont't know my dad as well as i do he may have said he would hurt people but never does he just yells at them. And matt started the fighting because it started weeks before this when he called the cops on my dad for the dog barking,not having foodand water out for him witch was a lie when he did have food and water out. so that was the start of the aurguing. my dad said after that he didnt want matt around so he came into the garage when they both were drunk and matt had his gun with him. He doesnt have the right to bring his gun on someone elses property anyway. My dad did tell him to leave for about an hour and matt woouldnt leave. so they aurgued in the garage after an hour and my dad was sitting on the picnic table in the garage with brad playing poker. My dad turned to pick somthing up and matt shot him as my dad turned to look at him. NOW PLEASE STOP SAYING THINGS YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ITS ******* ME OFF!!!!!!

    -- Posted by justinhls on Wed, Apr 28, 2010, at 10:23 PM

  • How awful for a son to have to read all this. Have a heart people!!!!

    -- Posted by skittlebug on Wed, Apr 28, 2010, at 11:54 PM

  • first off wolf angel u were not there and like the rest of us second hand gossip and your taking your acct from brad who was drunk at the time

    there are so many rumors flying around..of course thats lake life drama always someone who knows something or thinks they do..with that being said

    it was also said the there was a knife in play...again who knows none of us were there

    and it is well none that both parties sold pills out here anyone who denies that are the ones that bought them.....but with all the post on here even after the mans own son has asked you all to stop just your in my thoughts buddy...as for all the talkers on here grow up get a life and stop living through other ppls......you know who you are we know who you are your known as the golf kart patrol again justin i hope they take notice of you post and dont get to mine but for the ones that keep writing nonsense forgive them because as we all know (YOU CANT FIX STUPID)

    -- Posted by indyboy123 on Thu, Apr 29, 2010, at 1:23 AM

  • ALSO vblresident it was a well known fact he did have a permit again please know what your talking about before you speak!

    -- Posted by indyboy123 on Thu, Apr 29, 2010, at 1:24 AM

  • JUSTIN..again, prayers goin out to you and the family.

    wow.. lots of mean spirited people live out here.. thinkin i will just stay to myself from now on..

    anybody that has a problem with what i just said can take a flying leap.

    -- Posted by danilynn on Thu, Apr 29, 2010, at 8:46 AM

  • Well Justin I would just like to say that you and your family are in our prayers!! I too once lived out there at Vanbibber Lake and a lot of awful stuff was going on out there then so, in this day and age I can only imagine what it's like now!!! It doesn't matter the situation, death should never be the result of it!! About ten years or so ago my friends mother was murdered out there, and alcohol and a mean boyfriend/husband had everything to do with it!!! But again I'm sorry for your loss and you and your family are in our families prayers!!!! Our deepest sympathy goes out to you!!!!

    -- Posted by *Butterflygurl* on Thu, Apr 29, 2010, at 8:59 AM

  • My heart goes out to the victim's family, especially you, Justin, as you are reading these mostly ignorant comments. And also to the family of Matt who are having to deal with what he has done.

    P.S.

    No - to not do something, as in "there is no way some of the people writing here graduated highschool"

    Know - to understand or be aquainted with something, as in "I don't know why it's so hard to type or speak in basic English."

    -- Posted by MsBehaving on Thu, Apr 29, 2010, at 10:32 AM

  • NO MATT DOES NOT HAVE A GUN PERMIT>>>PLEASE KNOW WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT HE TOLD ME HIMSELF HE DID NOT!!!!! ALL IN ALL MATT WILL DO THE TIME HE DESERVES!!!! THANK THE LORD! jUSTIN AND jHERI IF THERE IS ANYTHING i CAN DO i WILL, aLSO TO LET EVERYONE KNOW MATT WOULDNT EVEN LET ANYONE USE HIS PHONE TO CALL 911 THAT NIGHT SO MATT KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING!!!! YOU PEOPLE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SO JUST STOP!!! A FAMILY HAS LOST A FATHER BROTHER A FRIEND LEAVE IT AT THAT!!! CLIFF CAN NO LONGER DEFEND HIMSELF!!

    -- Posted by goodfriend79 on Thu, Apr 29, 2010, at 5:09 PM

  • Also another good quetsion is matts mother was always first on scene at other incidents that happen at vbl, she is also on the fire dept., not one person showed up on scene from the vbl department, is this because Matt was a volunteer for the vbl department, it all doesnt add up!!!! They were all probably drinking with matt earlier in the night and couldnt respond!!!! Its sickening!!!!

    -- Posted by goodfriend79 on Thu, Apr 29, 2010, at 7:55 PM

  • goodfriend79 first off he does have a gun permit and if you check local police they will tell you so...as for him not letting anyone use the phone the call to 911 was from matts phone again check records.....again you my friend are the one that looks stupid so sit in your trailer and act like you know something...and yes cliff cant defend himself but as im sure you have seen his son as asked ppl to stop posting messages on here..how about you have some respect and do just that...otherwise you look foolish....and for the record none of you are investigator,s or lawyers lets leave it up to them to decide...and justin if i was you iwould put a call into the banner and have them pull the posting board for this case as im sure its causing you and your mom grief ...So lets all grow up and act like adults not high school kids!

    -- Posted by indyboy123 on Thu, Apr 29, 2010, at 8:06 PM

  • Matts mother could not respond as it was a conflict of intrest...do you have any sense of the law? and you seem to know alot about matt so this leads me to believe you hung with him some.so he was ok to hang out with and drink with but now you want to act like you didnt like him.

    also do you say cliff wasnt know for pulling knifes on ppl im sure you have heard of no neck or billy is his name cliff pulled one on him lets just say neither were saints....its tragic for both familes and it was something that could have been avoided....just goes to show you what drinking can and will lead to....and the storys that have been spreading like wildfire at the lake just ride around you will hear 40 diffrent versions as to what happen funny thing is there was only three in the garage all three had been drinking....the star i witness first said matt walked in and just shot...then later says we were playing cards and matt had a few beers and then bang....what wil it be tomorrow he had royal flush and matt and cliff wouldnt pay up so he gave matt the gun....he even stated he shot him in the back not true either go down to the police station get the report as i have done...they were both decent guys..that had to much to drink..i for one am going to sit back and watch the cops and the court do its job if they find guilt then so be it if they find not guilty then so be it...not for me to judge..as for everyone at VBL drama breeds drama and gossip is king to many people watching to see what others are doing..when thet should be watching themselfs...

    -- Posted by indyboy123 on Fri, Apr 30, 2010, at 1:42 AM

  • first off I dont live in a trailor indyboy123, second matts phone was used on the second call to 911 beacause his boyfriend took it from him and used it so you know nothing lets all stop this now its over matt will do life for this he deserves it..oh and the whole thing about no neck I was there cliff didnt pull his knife dumbass billy tried handing him one yelling please stab me, he again was unwanted on cliffs property he would leave

    -- Posted by goodfriend79 on Fri, Apr 30, 2010, at 7:44 PM

  • LET THE LORD BE WITH YOU ALL!!! PLEASE REMEMBER "JUDGE NOT LEAST YOU BE JUDGED"!!! PLEASE HONOR BOTH FAMILIES AND PRAYERS ARE NEEDED FOR ALL THOSE THAT LIVE OUT THERE!!! THE TIME IS NOW WHERE THE CHILDREN NEED PROTECTED AND NOT HAVE TO LISTEN TO ANY OF THIS!!! MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL!!! LIKE I WAS ALWAYS TOLD GROWING UP IF YOU HAVE NOTHING NICE TO SAY THEN SAY NOTHING AT ALL!!! IT'S JUST SAD THAT ANY OF THIS HAPPENED TO BEGIN WITH!!!

    -- Posted by honestangel_59 on Tue, May 4, 2010, at 2:52 PM

  • Interesting that drug use and dealing was denied by Hulse's friends and family, but now Justin Hulse is dead at the age of 21. Why don't we just bulldoze VBL and backfill the lakes with the trailers and be done with it?

    -- Posted by Clovertucky on Tue, May 3, 2011, at 12:28 PM
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