Second man arrested for killing retired Indiana farmer more than 10 years later

A second arrest was made in connection with the death of a retired Indiana farmer in 2012.

Nearly 12 years after 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger was found dead on the bedroom floor of his rural Sullivan County home on Dec. 8, 2012, 39-year-old Richard D. Taft was arrested in connection with the case and charged with murder and two counts of burglary with assault, Indiana State Police announced in a news release.

Taft was charged after investigators interviewed 58 witnesses, WTWO reported. A probable cause affidavit obtained by the station and reviewed by PEOPLE showed witnesses claiming Taft was “emotional” and “crying” in the months following Badger's murder. While he denied his involvement to law enforcement, the witnesses claimed he allegedly had other stories about the case.

Taft is currently serving time in Indiana State Prison after being convicted of conspiracy/trafficking in methamphetamine, according to online Indiana Department of Corrections records reviewed by PEOPLE. His current scheduled release date is 2031.

His latest charges come three months after a grand jury indicted William Ray Grimes in connection with Badger's death. Grimes was charged with murder, burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary after six days of evidence and testimony in April, Indiana State Police previously announced.

“This is the beginning of the criminal proceedings. We again encourage anyone with information regarding Mr. Badger's murder to contact the Indiana State Police,” Special Prosecutor Rob Roberts said in a statement at the time.

Indiana State Police had previously announced that Badger had died “as a result of a gunshot wound sustained during a burglary of his home.”

“Lowell's safe was stolen during the break-in. It was light to medium dark gray, 23 1/2 inches high, 17 inches deep and 17 inches wide and was in pristine condition. It was manufactured by John D. Brush and Company. (The photo shows a similar safe; Mr. Badger's safe was in pristine condition.) Also stolen was his black 46-inch Sony Bravia LCD television,” the press release states.

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In his obituary, Badger was mentioned as an active member of Kingsley Memorial UMC since 1960. He also served on various committees and boards of the Sullivan County Credit Union for 28 years, the Island Levee Conservancy District for 40 years, and was the Farm Bureau director for District 7 for eight years.