Suspect in professor's killing claims sex assault - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Jeremy Brilliant/Eyewitness News

Bloomington - Monroe County Prosecutors officially charged 25-year-old Michael Griffin in the murder of an Indiana University professor. A neighbor found the body of 53-year-old Don Belton in his Bloomington home on Monday.

When the judge asked Michael Griffin how he pleads to the charge of murder, he responded, "not guilty," even though Tuesday, according to court documents, he gave a full confession to police that he did commit murder and he had a reason for doing it.

The doorway is still damaged where a tactical Bloomington Police team broke into Michael Griffin's rental home and arrested the 25-year-old Tuesday.

"I was very surprised because he's just a kind-hearted kid," said Lambert Herman, the suspect's landlord.

Herman said he was shocked to read his tenant's name in the newspaper accused of murder and thought it was a different person until he saw the picture.

"It's too bad because he caused the end of one life and it's going to make his awfully unbearable for a long time. It effectively ends his life as well," said Herman.

Police who were called to the scene found both doors unlocked and no signs of forced entry. Nothing was missing, said police Lt. David Drake.

Lt. Drake said Belton was stabbed "at least five or six" times in the back and several times in the front of the torso.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Griffin confessed he killed 53-year-old Don Belton on Monday inside the professor's Bloomington home. Detectives wrote his motive was an act of anger or passion and "...was the result of Mr. Belton sexually assaulting him on the evening of Christmas". Griffin told police Belton "did not show or express...what was taking place was a mistake" so he pulled out a knife and stabbed Belton until he stopped moving.

"I can't imagine the Don Belton that I knew to be capable of anything like that," said Rae Greiner, a colleague of Belton's at the IU English Department. Greiner said the accomplished author and scholar was openly gay. Police said Belton wrote in a journal that during the week before Christmas he was very happy because a man named Michael Griffin had come into his life.

Police later received a call from Griffin's girlfriend saying she thought her boyfriend might be involved in the slaying.

"He was extremely gentle, extremely kind. You know, Don didn't drink. He would have tea at parties and tell stories. He was just a gentle, kind, careful person," said Greiner.

According to the IU Web site, Belton had formerly taught at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Macalester College and the University of Pennsylvania and had lectured at the Sorbonne. He had also written for Newsweek and The Advocate and edited an anthology of essays on black masculinity.

English Department Chairman Jonathan Elmer said in a statement that Belton's friends, colleagues and students were "shocked and terribly saddened by the news of his death."

"His great talents as a writer, his extraordinary generosity to his students, and his warmth of personality were gifts to us all. We will miss him terribly," the statement said.

Belton had taught at IU since fall 2008, the statement said.

Friends of Belton have set up a website urging prosecutors not to allow Griffin's defense to weaken the case against him. They point out the history of claims of sexual assault against gay victims of violent crime. The group also denounces what they're calling racist and homophobic remarks posted on sites about the story.

A candlelight vigil will be held New Year's Day from 5:00 to 6:00 pm at the corner of Kirkwood and Walnut Streets in downtown Bloomington. IU officials say the vigil is not only in memory of Belton, but to show his importance in the wider community.

Justice for Don Belton