Twin Lakes officers testify at hearing in beating case

CrimeSceneTape web copyGarcia is bound over for trial

By Jason Arndt

Staff Writer

Two Twin Lakes police officers delivered testimony related to the Christmas morning attack of 58-year-old Thomas Eppers Sr. during a preliminary hearing in Kenosha County Circuit Court Friday.

Alexander Garcia, charged with felony aggravated battery with intent to cause great bodily harm, could face up to 15 years if convicted. He was bound over for trial following the hearing after the court ruled there was probable cause a crime was committed.

The two police officers told court officials that Eppers Sr. and accused attacker, Garcia, were the only two awake at a residence in the 1100 block of Pebble Beach Court.

Garcia, 25, allegedly struck Eppers Sr. multiple times with a baseball bat, which rendered him unconscious, which is how officers found him shortly before 3 a.m.

Eppers’ injuries necessitated Flight for Life helicopter transport to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, where Eppers remains.

Officer Matthew Yusten stated that when he arrived, Garcia was holding Eppers Sr. in his arms, and that Eppers Sr. was slipping in and out of consciousness.

Garcia, who had a relationship with Eppers’ daughter, Abigail, woke her up stating the victim was drunk.

“She was woken up at the time by Alex Garcia, Alex said to her that her dad was drunk and needed help,” said Officer Katie Hall.

In the criminal complaint, investigators contend Garcia was allegedly intoxicated at the time of the incident.

Abigail, who woke up a short time later, discovered Eppers lying on the ground with multiple facial injuries.

During the investigation, Abigail told Yusten that an aluminum baseball bat covered in blood was near the entrance of the garage.

When asked why Abigail pointed out the bat in the garage, Yusten stated “she thought it was suspicious because it was out of place and was always in the same spot.”

At Froedtert Hospital, Hall testified, he could not gather information from Eppers Sr. on at least two occasions, because Eppers was minimally responsive.

“He had a trache in his throat at one point, and was unable to communicate verbally,” said Hall, noting Eppers was able to moves his lips.

“In his condition right now, he is confused about where he is at,” Hall added.

Following an interview with a nurse at the Froedtert Intensive Care Unit, Yusten reported Eppers’ injuries were consistent with an assault.

The argument was not the first occurrence where the two had disagreements. The complaint cites an October incident in La Crosse, where Garcia was allegedly drunk and combative. Eppers Sr. responded by pushing Garcia into the river.

Following the incident, some family members reported that when Garcia was unruly or inappropriate, Eppers would jokingly state he “would throw him in the river.”

When Eppers’ made these statements, Garcia often told Abigail that Eppers Sr. should to stop.

Arraignment in the case is scheduled for Feb. 11.


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