Murder suspect: 'It had to happen'

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - After Indianapolis Metropolitan Police arrested a man in connection to the murder of a local musician, the suspect spoke to 24-Hour News 8 from jail.

Police say Allen Parker confessed to killing the former director of the Athenaeum. They say John Butsch was duct taped and severely beaten when they found him in a Woodruff Place duplex.

Now, the accused killer claims he was high at the time of the arrest.

Parker told 24-Hour News 8 Anchor Karen Hensel he didn’t kill John Butsch but “it had to happen.”

As it turns out, Parker was one of Butsch’s tenants. The victim’s family says Parker failed to pay rent last year and was evicted.

Investigators with IMPD called the murder an act of revenge. But Parker says it had nothing to do with revenge and he had no problems with being kicked out.

The 24-year-old insists someone set him up. Documents 24-Hour News 8 obtained from police revealed Butsch’s cell phone was in Parker’s pocket at the time of the arrest. Parker says he doesn’t know how it got there.

Meanwhile, Parker’s arrest was welcome news for Butsch’s grieving family.

“He stole from all of us an amazing man,” said Bob Harbin outside of the home where the popular musician was murdered. “It was always about others with him.”

Harbin, who owned a production company with Butsch, says his friend played with Tina Turner, Tony Bennett, Dionne Warwick, the Cincinnati Symphony and many others.

The family is planning a memorial to celebrate the life of the 59-year-old and Shortridge High School graduate. It will be held at the Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St.