Summary
Overview
Crime Junkie hosts Ashley Flowers and Britt delve into a complex case that begins with a 1974 mistaken identity murder in Washington D.C., where Judge Louis Sisler was fatally shot by vigilantes seeking revenge for a sexual assault. The investigation leads D.C. homicide detective Bobby Moore to meet and eventually marry the victim's widow, Barbara Sisler. Years later, after moving to Indiana and becoming town marshal, Bobby's marriage deteriorates, culminating in him shooting Barbara to death in what he claims was self-defense. Five months later, Bobby is mysteriously murdered on his doorstep—shot to the hour on the anniversary of Barbara's death—in a killing that remains unsolved to this day.
The Mistaken Identity Murder of Judge Louis Sisler
In July 1974, Washington D.C. homicide detective Bobby Moore investigates the shooting of Judge Louis Sisler, who dies after being shot at his father-in-law's house. The case unfolds as a tragic case of mistaken identity—a group led by Mary Harris, seeking revenge for the sexual assault of Mary's daughter, went to what they believed was the perpetrator's home and shot through the door when Judge Sisler answered. The group had already checked another house first, determining it wasn't the right person, before arriving at the judge's residence.
- Detective Bobby Moore is called to investigate Judge Louis Sisler's shooting on July 13, 1974, during the Watergate era in D.C.
- Judge Sisler was a retired state judge from Indiana who worked for a senator on Capitol Hill and as an NRA lobbyist
- A woman was sexually assaulted, and her mother Mary Harris gathered vigilantes to find the perpetrator by checking garages in the neighborhood
- The group shot Judge Sisler through his door, believing they had found the right house, but it was mistaken identity
- Mary Harris was convicted of conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon, felony murder, and attempted first-degree burglary while armed
" We're looking for the guy that raped our sister. "
" I'm just kind of sad you said part of the story because that means we can't, like, hang out here and dig deep. "
Detective Marries the Victim's Widow
In an unusual twist, Detective Bobby Moore ends up marrying Barbara Sisler, the widow of the murder victim he investigated, three years after Judge Sisler's death. The couple eventually retires from D.C. and moves to Fremont, Indiana in 1984, where Bobby is appointed town marshal. However, Bobby struggles with severe alcohol use disorder, and the marriage begins to deteriorate shortly after their move to Indiana.
- Bobby Moore marries Barbara Sisler, the widow of his murder victim, three years after investigating the case
- Bobby retires from Metro PD and the couple moves to Fremont, Indiana in 1984 to be closer to Barbara's grown children
- Bobby is appointed town marshal in June 1984, viewed as a hero and big shot detective from D.C.
- Bobby has a severe alcohol use disorder that worsens after moving to Indiana, affecting both his job and marriage
- By late 1987, the marriage falls apart with Barbara living on the main floor and Bobby paying rent to live in the finished basement
" You're telling me he marries the victim's wife? "
📚 6 more sections below
Sign up to unlock the complete summary with all insights, key points, and quotes
Get this summary + all future Crime Junkie episodes in your inbox
100% Free • Unsubscribe Anytime
Sign up now and we'll send you the complete summary of this episode, plus get notified when new Crime Junkie episodes are released—delivered straight to your inbox within minutes.