Prosecutors charge Columbus man with murder after landlord found dead

COLUMBUS, Ind. (WISH) — The Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office has announced formal charges have been filed against a man accused of murdering his landlord during eviction proceedings.

News 8 previously reported the Columbus Police Department officers responded to a welfare check at a home in the 1400 block of Pearl Street around 8:40 p.m. July 21.

The son of the property’s landlord, 89-year-old Jerrell “Jerry” McCullough, had contacted police saying he’d been unable to get in touch with his dad. McCullough was in the process of evicting the property’s tenant – Rudy Minton.

Another witness contacted police regarding the 49-year-old Minton, according to a probable cause affidavit. The witness “indicated to dispatch she believed her friend did something to the landlord and wanted the landlord checked on.”

Upon arrival, police spoke with Minton, who immediately informed officers that he “drank bleach.” Inside the home, officers found McCullough’s body in a trash can.

At some point during the investigation, police say officers learned of...