Twin Lakes man formally charged in beating

Alexander Garcia, accused of a brutal Christmas morning attack, was formally charged in Kenosha County Intake Court Friday. Garcia was represented by state-appointed public defender Carl Johnson (right). (Photo by Jason Arndt).
Alexander Garcia, accused of a brutal Christmas morning attack, was formally charged in Kenosha County Intake Court Friday. Garcia was represented by state-appointed public defender Carl Johnson (right). (Photo by Jason Arndt).

He was staying at residence with victim’s daughter

By Jason Arndt

Staff Writer

A 25-year-old Twin Lakes man was formerly charged Friday in Kenosha County Circuit Court with felony aggravated battery, use of a dangerous weapon and domestic abuse in connection with a brutal Christmas morning beating.

Alexander Garcia, accused in the attack of 58-year-old Thomas Eppers Sr., was held on $25,000 bond by the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office. If convicted, he faces maximum imprisonment of 15 years.

According to the criminal complaint, Garcia was allegedly intoxicated when he struck Eppers in the head and torso multiple times with a baseball bat, which rendered Eppers unresponsive when authorities arrived to residence in the 1100 block of Pebble Beach Ct., Twin Lakes.

The complaint contends that Garcia said he did not “remember whether there had been an altercation, and that is what happens when people drink.”

Garcia, who was staying at the residence with Eppers’ daughter, Abigail, had a previous altercation with Eppers, the complaint alleges.

Twin Lakes Rescue transported Eppers to Aurora Memorial Hospital in Burlington, where Flight for Life helicopter airlifted him to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa.

Last week, the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office extended Garcia’s temporary bond, with hopes that Eppers could give a later statement.

“He is still at Froedtert, and he is not able to speak to anyone at this time,” said Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney Andrew Burgoyne. “He has been diagnosed with multiple fractures to his face and requires facial reconstruction surgery.”

Although Eppers is able to identify family members, there could be permanent injuries, the complaint stated.
“He is currently incapable of providing personal care, and this incapacity is likely to be permanent,” Burgoyne told Court Commissioner David Berman Friday. “He requires 24-hour supervision and on-site skilled nursing care.”

During the hearing hearing, Garcia’s state-appointed public defender Carl Johnson requested a $1,000 signature bond, but it was denied.

“My take on this is that there are a lot of gaps in this incident,” Johnson told Berman, noting the case is largely circumstantial.

Berman refuted it, citing the injuries were “grave.”

Garcia is due for a preliminary hearing Jan. 15 at Kenosha County court.


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