LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Columbus, Indiana, man was charged with murder in connection to the death of his landlord after investigators found the victim's body inside a trash container at a home.
Bartholomew County Prosecutor Lindsey Holden announced Tuesday that Rudy Minton, 49, was arrested after Jerrell McCullough was found dead.
According to court documents, Columbus police were called to the 1400 block of Pearl Street around 8:36 p.m. on July 21 after two separate calls. One caller told dispatch she believed Minton may have harmed his landlord, while McCullough's son reported his father missing after being unable to reach him.
The son told officers his father's SUV was parked outside the home unlocked, which he said was unusual, and that Minton had refused to let him search the residence.
When officers arrived, they spoke with Minton, who immediately told them he had swallowed bleach. Police said when officers asked where McCullough was, Minton replied that he was inside the home in a trash can.
Officers detained Minton and entered the residence, where they found blood inside the home and the body of a deceased man inside a trash container. The victim was later identified as McCullough.
Investigators later obtained search warrants for the home, McCullough's vehicle and Minton's personal belongings. During the search, detectives said they found items belonging to McCullough inside the residence, including property from his vehicle and the contents of his wallet. Police also noted Minton had injuries and bruising consistent with a possible struggle, and detectives observed what appeared to be blood spatter on his eyeglasses.
The probable cause affidavit also states investigators discovered a Facebook post believed to have been made by Minton shortly before officers arrived that read, "Look everybody I'm sorry you'll find out soon enough."
According to the affidavit, Minton made several statements while in police custody. Officers reported that while sitting on the front porch, Minton said, "I just thought I could pull it off, I'm sorry."
Later, while investigators were collecting evidence at the hospital, Minton reportedly told officers, "There was no gun involved," before police had publicly disclosed how the victim died. During transport to the Bartholomew County Jail, he allegedly said, "Sometimes not despicable people do despicable things," and asked officers to pray for him.
The case is pending in Bartholomew Superior Court, where a judge is expected to schedule an initial hearing.
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