Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"The coroner in his examination could see that all three of the men had been gripped by their hair to stretch their necks." — Robert Snow (via transcript)
"These guys were spending money they weren't making, and we couldn't understand where that money was coming from." — Detective Sergeant Popchef (via transcript)
"It has long been my personal opinion that most likely Ted Yuland, along with unknown accomplices, committed these murders." — Deputy Prosecutor John Commons (via transcript)
The episode delves into the shocking discovery of three men murdered at a residence on North La Salle Street in Indianapolis on December 1st, 1971. John Carnes, a friend of the victims, found the bodies of Bob Gears, Bob Hinson, and Jim Barker, all of whom had suffered fatal throat wounds. The scene was characterized by significant blood spatter and evidence of the victims being bound. Initial responding officers were skeptical of the call, but the sheer brutality of the scene quickly escalated the response, bringing in numerous investigators.
The investigation into the La Sal Street murders proved to be exceptionally complex, spanning decades and exploring numerous theories. Early on, detectives noted the lack of disturbance in the house, suggesting the motive was not robbery. The victims were known to have made numerous enemies due to their personal lives and their new business, B&B Microfilm Service Company. Investigations considered potential motives ranging from romantic entanglements and jealousy to organized crime involvement and embezzlement from their business. The perplexing nature of the case was further compounded by similarities to an earlier unsolved murder and the unusual circumstances surrounding the victims' business dealings.
After years of dead ends and evolving theories, including extensive scrutiny of business associates like Ted Uland and even outlandish conspiracy claims, a significant breakthrough occurred in 2000. An unopened letter from Fred Harbasson, discovered after his death, confessed to carrying out the murders on the direction of Ted Uland, who stood to benefit from life insurance policies on the victims. While Ted Uland had a solid alibi at the time and the case faced challenges due to lost evidence, the confession, corroborated by witness statements and circumstantial evidence, ultimately led to an exceptional closure recommendation and the acknowledgment that Ted Uland was likely the mastermind behind the triple homicide.