Temporary bond extended while victim recovers
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
Formal charges were still pending Monday against a 25-year-old Twin Lakes man accused of a brutal Christmas morning assault of Thomas Eppers, who remained in critical condition at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa early this week.
Alexander Garcia, arrested the day of the beating, faces charges of disorderly conduct while armed and felony aggravated battery. He had his temporary $25,000 bond extended at the request of the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office last Wednesday.
James Kraus, Kenosha County deputy district attorney, told Court Commissioner Donald Bielski that Eppers is unable to communicate.
“With his injuries, we are unable to talk with him and decide on what additional charges could be brought,” Kraus said during the hearing.
Eppers, 58, was assaulted at his residence in the 1100 block of Pebble Beach Court shortly after 2 a.m. on Christmas Day, where he suffered multiple fractures and abrasions.
When Twin Lakes police and rescue personnel arrived at the residence, they discovered Eppers suffered severe head injuries, according to a press release issued by the Twin Lakes Police Department.
After transport to Aurora Memorial Hospital in Burlington, Eppers was airlifted by Flight for Life helicopter to Wauwatosa’s Froedtert Hospital.
The release noted that Garcia resided at the same residence and knew the victim.
A family member created a GoFundMe page to help the Eppers family offset medical expenses associated with Thomas Eppers’ hospitalization.
According to the page, he suffered a brain hemorrhage, multiple fractures along with a broken jaws and rib and collapsed lung, necessitating the need for a ventilator.
Those who wish to help may visit www.gofundme.com/6xgcqahw.
Garcia’s next hearing is 1 p.m. Friday at Kenosha County Intake Court.