US EditionISP: Man sentenced in 1982 cold case homicide
- Ronald J. Anderson, a 63-year-old resident of Seymour, Indiana, received an 18-year prison term for the 1982 murder of Clifford Smith in Jackson County.
- Anderson was taken into custody on October 31, 2023, marking precisely 41 years since Smith was killed, following a cold case review led by the Indiana State Police that began in 2015.
- Investigators determined Smith, 24, died from a gunshot wound to the head after Anderson retrieved and used a shotgun during an incident at a Seymour home on October 30, 1982.
- In April 2025, Anderson entered a guilty plea to voluntary manslaughter, leading to the dismissal of murder charges; prosecutors commended the Indiana State Police for their unwavering commitment over more than 40 years to deliver justice and closure to Smith’s family.
- The case highlights long-term law enforcement efforts in solving cold cases, affirming Deputy Prosecutor Hollingsworth's statement, "justice delayed was not justice denied.
11 Articles
11 Articles
ISP: Man sentenced in 1982 cold case homicide
By WRTV Staff Click here for updates on this story JACKSON COUNTY, Indiana (WRTV) — Ronald J. Anderson, now 63 of Seymour, Indiana, was sentenced to 18 years for killing Clifford Smith in 1982 on Monday, Indiana State Police said. According to ISP, the body of 24-year-old Smith was found by trappers along the White River, north of Seymour, in December of 1982. Investigators determined that Smith died from a gunshot wound to the head. While I…
Southern Indiana Man Sentenced in 1982 Cold Case Homicide
Indiana State Police A Jackson County man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for the murder of a Seymour man in 1982. Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Richard Poynter sentenced Ronald J. Anderson, now 63, on Monday. On October 31, 2023, exactly 41 years to the date of the murder, Anderson was arrested and held in the Jackson County Jail. He then pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter with the murder charge dismissed on April 4, 2025. In D…
Man sentenced to 18 years for voluntary manslaughter in 1982 shooting
SEYMOUR, Ind. (WISH) — A Jackson County man was sentenced Monday to 18 years in prison for the 1982 killing of a 24-year-old man in rural Jackson County, according to online court records. A gunshot wound to the head killed Clifford Smith, of Seymour, on Oct. 31, 1982. His wife reported him missing a few days later, as previously reported by News 8. Animal trappers found Smith’s body Dec. 1, 1982, in an area along the East Fork of the White Rive…
ISP: Jackson County man sentenced in 1982 cold case homicide
JACKSON COUNTY Ronald J. Anderson, now 63 of Seymour, Indiana, was sentenced to 18 years for killing Clifford Smith in 1982 on Monday, Indiana State Police said.According to ISP, the body of 24-year-old Smith was found by trappers along the White River, north of Seymour, in December of 1982. Investigators determined that Smith died from a gunshot wound to the head. While ISP detectives investigated the case at the time, no arrests were made.ISP …
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