Suspect In Professer Killing Pleads Not Guilty

Last updated on Thursday, December 31, 2009

(BLOOMINGTON, IN) - An alleged sexual assault may have led to the murder of an IU professor.

53-year-old Assistant English Professor Don Belton was stabbed to death in his Bloomington home Sunday.

Bloomington Police say 25-year-old Michael Griffin has confessed to the murder after he and Belton had a physical argument.

Police say Griffin claims he was sexually assaulted by Belton on Christmas Day while he and his girlfriend were at Belton's home.

Griffin says he and his girlfriend were extremely intoxicated and couldn't defend themselves.

Griffin says he was upset about the alleged rape and went to the professor's home two days later for an apology.

Police say Griffin claims Belton wasn't sorry, so he stabbed Belton multiple times.

Investigators are calling the murder a crime of passion.

25-year-old Michael Griffin appeared in court Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to killing the professor.

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