Tony Kiritsis

Tony Kiritsis (born August 13, 1932, Indianapolis?, Indiana, U.S.—died January 28, 2005, Indianapolis) was an American businessman who took mortgage executive Richard (Dick) Hall hostage for some 63 hours in February 1977 because of a business dispute. The incident became national news as the story unfolded on television and radio. Kiritsis used a “dead man’s line,” a contraption that connected both him and Hall to a shotgun, and the two men walked through downtown Indianapolis while being followed by police and the media. Kiritsis then took Hall to his apartment, where they stayed while Kiritsis told his side of the story to a radio journalist. Kiritsis surrendered on February 10 and was later charged with various crimes. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Early life and career

Kiritsis was one of several children born to Greek immigrants. In 1950 he graduated from Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis and subsequently enlisted in the army. During his two-year stint, he reportedly taught small arms at the U.S. Military Academy. Kiritsis then returned to Indianapolis to become the manager of the Dantros Trailer Park, which his family owned. He continued to work there until 1968, when he became a car salesman.

Kiritsis, who was known to have a quick temper, had several run-ins with the law. Notably, in 1968 he faced a charge of assault with intent to murder, and he was also charged after firing a gun at one of his brothers. However, all charges were eventually dismissed.

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Kidnapping of Hall

In 1973 Kiritsis secured a loan of more than $100,000 from Meridian Mortgage Co. He used the money to buy a 17-acre (6.9-hectare) plot of land on which he wanted to build a shopping center. But after failing to attract retailers, Kiritsis was unable to keep up with the payments and faced foreclosure. He believed that Meridian was directing potential businesses to other sites.

On February 8, 1977, the 44-year-old Kiritsis went to the Meridian building in search of Millard Hall, the chair of the company. After learning that Millard Hall was on vacation, Kiritsis took the executive’s son Richard Hall hostage. Kiritsis wrapped steel wire around Hall’s neck and rigged it to the trigger of a sawed-off shotgun held to Hall’s head. The wire was also connected to Kiritsis’s finger. If Hall tried to escape or if Kiritsis was shot and fell, the gun would go off, killing Hall. Kiritsis called his invention a “dead man’s line.”

Kiritsis called the police from Hall’s office, demanding a police escort and a getaway car. Kiritsis and Hall made their way out of the building, where the pair was met by police officers and journalists. The group began a tense walk through downtown Indianapolis as Kiritsis tried to locate his car. At one point he stumbled, and the gun almost went off. Kiritsis eventually stole a police car and forced Hall to drive to his apartment. He falsely told police that his apartment was wired with explosives, and police evacuated the building.

In exchange for Hall’s release, Kiritsis demanded a public apology from Meridian, $5 million, and immunity from prosecution. At one point he called into WIBC-AM and spoke with radio journalist Fred Heckman, who became a key part of the negotiations. Kiritsis would call Heckman, who would then broadcast their conversations. Heckman also worked with law enforcement to end the standoff.

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Kiritsis held Hall captive for approximately 63 hours. On February 10, 1977, he surrendered after authorities agreed to his demands. In the lobby of his apartment building, Kiritsis held a press conference, expressing anger at Meridian but also apologizing for the ordeal and his use of profanity throughout. Kiritsis and law enforcement officials then went into an office, where Hall was freed from the “dead man’s line.” Kiritsis demonstrated that the shotgun was loaded by firing a shot out the window. Kiritsis was subsequently arrested, while Hall was taken to the hospital.

Trial and later life

The promise of immunity had been a ruse—as well as not legally binding—and Kiritsis was charged with kidnapping, armed robbery, and armed extortion. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity on October 21, 1977. The verdict resulted in Indiana adopting a new law that put the burden of proving insanity on the defense. In addition, the state introduced “guilty but mentally ill” as a verdict option. Kiritsis was committed to a mental institution, and he was held at various facilities before being released in 1988. He later struggled with diabetes and alcohol addiction. Kiritsis died at age 72 in January 2005.

Media

United Press International photographer John H. Blair received a Pulitzer Prize for his image of Kiritsis holding Hall at gunpoint. The case inspired Dead Man’s Wire, a 2025 film directed by Gus Van Sant; it stars Bill Skarsgård as Kiritsis and Dacre Montgomery as Hall. In addition, the incident was the basis of the podcast American Hostage (2022), which was later made into a miniseries of the same name. The program was scheduled to be released in 2026, and its cast includes Giovanni Ribisi as Kiritsis, Kristoffer Polaha as Hall, and Jon Hamm as Heckman.