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Murders of Charles Ervin and Theresa Blosl

On November 16th, 1989, 21-year-old Eric D. Holmes was fired from a Shoney’s Restaurant in Indianapolis, Indiana, for arguing with coworker Amy Foshee. He was enraged and wanted revenge.

Holmes and accomplice Michael Vance ambushed Foshee and two other restaurant employees—30-year-old Charles Ervin and 20-year-old Theresa Blosl—as they exited the restaurant later that night.

Ervin, the manager, was carrying the till. Holmes and Vance trapped the three workers in the foyer of the business and stabbed them multiple times. Holmes and Vance took off with the til.

Ervin and Blosl died from their injuries, but Foshee survived and identified Holmes as her attacker.

According to Justia, Michael’s brother, Raymond, helped the two killers change cars, get a motel room, shower, and change clothes, but with a living witness, the police came knocking soon after the murders. Michael and Holmes tried to flee, but they didn’t get far and were taken into custody.

Legal Proceedings

Michael Vance was convicted separately and sentenced to 190 years in prison. His brother, Raymond, got 5 years for his role in the crimes.

Holmes was convicted of two counts of murder, attempted murder, robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery at trial.

The jury didn’t reach a unanimous sentencing recommendation, leaving the decision to the judge.

On August 7th, 1996, Judge Cynthia Emkes sentenced Holmes to death, citing multiple aggravating factors, including murder during a robbery and multiple murders.

Despite numerous appeals—raising claims of prosecutorial misconduct, ineffective counsel, and mental health issues—the Indiana Supreme Court has upheld Holmes’ death sentence.

He remains on death row at Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, IN.