FULL TEXT: Paoli, Ind. – Authorities charged a woman during the
weekend in the ambush killing of her second husband and reopened an
investigation of her first husband’s death.
Orange County Prosecutor Darrell Ellis said Sunday that
authorities have new information that could lead to a new suspect in the 1983
shotgun-slaying of Phillip Huff, 29.
At the time, Huff’s wife, now Lois A. Thacker, 26, admitted
she killed him with a deer slug through the heart but a grand jury declined to
charge her, deciding she acted in self-defence.
The new information came out in investigating the slaying of
John E. Thacker, 31, who also was killed with deer slugs fired from a 12-guage
shotgun.
[“Woman Charged In Husband’s Ambush Death,” Pharos Tribune
(Logansport, In.),
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FULL TEXT: Jasper, Ind. – A jury returns today to decide
whether to recommend the death penalty for a Paoli woman it convicted of
arranging the murder of her husband for $134,000 insurance.
The Dubois County jury deliberated less than 1 ½ hours
Friday before finding Lois Thacker, 27, guilty of murder.
Six other people were charged with aiding in the plot against
John Thacker, 31, killed with two shotgun blasts in an ambush on a rural road
near his home last Nov. 3.
The other defendants are Mrs. Thacker’s sister, Connie
Busick; her mother, Mary Music; a cousin, Charles Music; and three friends of
the family, Rwauna Wilder, Donald R. Buchanan and James L. Hart.
Hart, 34, and Charles Music, 17, are awaiting trial on
murder charges. The others were accused of lesser crimes.
Buchanan, 27, pleaded guilty to murder conspiracy and was
sentenced to 30 years in prison. Miss Wilder, 23, was sentenced to two years
after pleading guilty to obstructing justice. Ms. Busick, 18, was sentenced to
three years after pleading guilty to assisting a criminal.
Mrs. Music, 46, is awaiting trial on charges of assisting a
criminal.
Ellis said three women charged along with Mrs. Thacker were
accused of helping conceal the crime.
The trial was moved to Dubois County because of publicity in
Orange County, where Thacker was killed.
Dubois Circuit Judge Chad Songer ordered stiff security
measures for Mrs. Thacker’s trial, including guards for the sequestered jury
and metal-detector screening of the courtroom audience.
It was the first murder trial in Dubois County since 1977.
Orange County Prosecutor Darrell Ellis said before the trial
he has reopened an investigation into the 1983 death of Mr. Thacker’s first husband,
Phillip Huff, whom she cliumed to have shot in self-defense.
[“Thacker Jury to decide whether Paoli woman dies,” Seymour
Daily Tribune (In.), May 18, 1985, p. 16]
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CHRONOLOGY
Jan 27, 1958 – Lois Ann Music
born.
Feb. 5, 1983 – Phillip Huff
shot to death. In 1985 she claims John Thacker fired shot that killed Huff.
Mar. 29, 1983 – Lois marries
John Thacker.
Nov. 3, 1984 – Thacker (31) is
murdered; 2 shotgun blasts.
Nov. 5, 1984 – Lois arrested.
May 1, 1985 – Trial begins.
May 17, 1985 – Guilty
verdict.
Jun. 27, 1985 – Death
sentence; Dubois Circuit Court, Judge Chad Songer.
Oct. 11, 1985 – Execution
date; stayed.
Jul. 23, 1990 – Indiana
Supreme Court sets aside death sentence (3-2 vote). Resentences Lois to 60
years.
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For links to other cases of woman who murdered 2 or more husbands (or paramours), see Black Widow Serial Killers.
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[228-1/3/2021;738-2/3/22]
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