Murder suspect arraigned in Crown Street stabbing death

Thomas W. Badgley

A 20-year-old Greencastle man, charged with murder in the stabbing death of his father, was formally arraigned Friday afternoon in Putnam Superior Court.

Judge Charles "Denny" Bridges entered a plea of not guilty to the murder charge on behalf of Thomas W. Badgley, charged with the slaying of his father, Tommie Dale Badgley, 53, Wednesday evening at the son's 906 S. Crown St. residence.

The murder charge carries a sentence range of 45-65 years, Bridges noted.

During a 10-minute initial hearing, Judge Bridges asked the suspect if he understood the charges against him or had any questions about the proceedings.

After a quite long and audible sigh, Badgley asked why some witnesses were not listed in the paperwork in front of him. Bridges explained that the police investigation will include all such witnesses once it has been finalized.

He also asked the defendant if he had an attorney or his family had means to hire one for him.

Badgley said an acquaintance would be getting him an attorney.

The judge set a pretrial conference in the case for 8:30 a.m. Nov. 28, reminding Badgley that it is "important you get an attorney in the next 20 days."

If not, he said, the court will appoint counsel for him.

At the request of Putnam County Prosecutor Timothy Bookwalter, Judge Bridges ordered Badgley held without bond and he was remanded to the custody of the Putnam County Jail.

An autopsy on the victim, conducted by Dr. Roland Kohr Thursday at Terre Haute, revealed that he died of a single stab wound that entered between two ribs and perforated his heart, court documents noted.

Meanwhile, more details of the circumstances that allegedly led to the fatal stabbing were revealed in the eight-page probable cause affidavit filed with the court.

It notes that Thomas Badgley's roommate, Shane Short, became concerned for his friend's safety, thinking he had overdosed after observing him take several pills (thought originally to be 15 Klonipin but later determined to be Tylenol).

The roommate reportedly called Badgley's parents, Tommie and Debbie, who rushed to the scene about 5:40 p.m. with the intent of getting their son to go to the hospital.

Court documents note that the father reportedly told him "we have to get you to the hospital." The suspect reportedly responded by standing up and swinging a fist at his dad.

That led the elder Badgley to swing back and say, "I am not going to stand here and watch my son die," court documents note.

In his statement to police, Short said he witnessed Thomas removing a knife from a kitchen drawer before he went outside and dialed 911.

He then reportedly heard the wife scream and the victim cry out in pain. When he then returned inside "to find blood everywhere," Thomas Badgley was already handcuffed and in police custody.

Court documents also note that Mrs. Badgley told police she saw her son lunge at her husband and an altercation ensued before the fatal stabbing.

Greencastle City Police noted in the report that there were "no marks or bruises or injuries to Thomas Badgley's head, face or other parts of his body" at the time of his arrest.

The suspect, however, told authorities his father hit him first and knocked him to the ground, according to court documents.