Sylvia Likens’s Case
“ The Most Terrible Crime Ever Committed In The State of Indiana”Gertrude Baniszewski aka Gertrude Wright
- Age 37
- Married Twice (Husband John Baniszewski lasted 10 years)
- Had 7 children
- At age 11, her father died (heart attack) in her presence
- She lived at 3850 East New York Street
- She was accused of 1st degree murder and torturer in Marion County Criminal Court #2
- Her attorney was William C. Erbecker
- Trial lasted 2 weeks
- Pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity
- Sentenced to life term at IWP
- Lefted IWP on 12/4/85 at 8:30 A.M. on parole. Parole vote was 3-2
- Gertrude served 20 years of life term, had a 2nd trial in Miami County
Richard Hobbs, Friends with Johnny Baniszewski
- Age 15
- Father, Woodrow Hobbs lived at 310 North Denny Street
- Freshman at Thomas Carr Howe High School
- Charged with torturer and manslaughter
- Hobbs stated he scripted words onto Sylvia’s stomach
- Sentenced to 2-21 year terms at Indiana State Reformatory
- Attorney James G. Nedeff
- Died at age 21
Paula Baniszewski, Gertrude’s Oldest Daughter
- Age 17
- Pregnant during trial
- Attorney for trial was George P. Rice Jr.
- Charged with Assault, Battery, torturer and 2nd degree murder
- Sentenced to life term at IWP
- On Dec 2nd, 1971 at 3:30 P.M., Paula escaped from IWP
Stephanie Baniszewski, Gertrude’s second oldest daughter
- Age 15
- Charged with 1st degree murder and torturing
- Only person in house who helped Sylvia
Coy R. Hubbard, Friends with Johnny Baniszewski
- Age 15
- Lived at 435 North Linwood Ave
- Charged with torture
- Convicted of Manslaughter
- Sentenced to 2-21 years at Indiana State Reformatory
- On May 27th, 1966, his attorney filed a motion to free Hubbard due to being acquitted of murder
Sylvia Likens
- Age 16
- Native of Boone County
- Lived with Baniszewski from July 12th - October 26th, 1965
- Sylvia was beaten, cut, burned, tattooed, branded and mutilated
- Sylvia died on October 26th, 1965 from a massive injury to her head
- Sylvia was burred on October 30th, 1965 at 3:30 P.M. in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon, Indiana with a memorial for her in Willard Park, Indianapolis, Indiana
The Jury
- The Trial was held at the City-County Building in Criminal Court Room #2
- The jury was made up of 12 people (8 males and 4 females)
- The judge who overlooked the trial was Hon. Saul I. Rabb
- The Deputy Prosecutor was Leroy K. New
- Jury #1 Blaine E. Blage 8209 East Penway Street
- Jury #2 Blanche Harris 1350 South Sheffield Ave
- Detective Sgt. William D. Kaiser was the lead detective on the case
- Patrolman Melvin D. Dixon found the body of Sylvia Likens
Jennie Likens, sister of Sylvia Likens
- Age 15
- Crippled due to polio
- 8th grader at School 78
- Her attorney was Charles P. Gaddy
- On November 30th 1966, Jennie flew to Poland Springs, Maine to women’s job corps center
Diana Shoemaker, sister to Jennie and Sylvia Likens
- Age 19
Johnny Baniszewski, oldest son of Gertrude Baniszewski
- Age 13
- His attorney was Forrest B. Bowman Jr.
- Convicted of Manslaughter
- Sentenced to 2-21 years at ISR
- On May 27th, 1966 Bowman Jr. filed a motion to free Baniszewski due to being acquitted of murder
- Baniszewski later changed his name to John Blake Jr.
Lester Likens, father to Sylvia Likens
- Him and his wife were apart of a traveling carnival
- Paid Gertrude Baniszewski 20.00 dollars a week to take care of Jennie and Sylvia
People of Interest
- Randy Gordon Lepper, friend of Johnny Baniszewski
- Age 11
- Lived at 3902 East New York Street
- Judy Darlene Duke, friend of Stephanie Baniszewski
- Age 12
- Lived at 322 North Chester Street
- Anna Cisco, best friend of Paula Baniszewski
- Age 13
- 3030 North Chester Street
- Mike Monroe, friend of Johnny Baniszewski
- Age 11
- Lived at 3838 East New York Street
- Danny Likens
- Brother of Bennie, Sylvia, Jennie Likens and Diana Shoemaker
- Bennie Likens
- Brother of Danny, Sylvia, Jennie Likens and Diana Shoemaker
