GRAND RAPIDS (AP) — A jury that appeared deadlocked has changed course and convicted a man of murder in a fatal beating in Grand Rapids in 1990.
Jurors twice indicated they couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict Monday. But at the urging of Kent County Judge Mark Trusock, they tried again and convicted Aurelias Marshall. He faces a mandatory prison sentence of life without parole.
Joel Battaglia was 23 when he was robbed and fatally beaten after leaving Mulligan’s Pub, 25 years ago.
Prosecutors said the case was unsolved for years because Marshall had intimidated and threatened witnesses. A younger brother, Acey Marshall, turned out to be a key witness at trial.
Battaglia was a high school honors student who had planned to attend Aquinas College and become a teacher.
- Posted June 11, 2015
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Man convicted 25 years after murder

headlines Macomb
- Macomb County Meals on Wheels in urgent need of volunteers ahead of holiday season
- MDHHS hosting three, free virtual baby showers in November and December for new or expecting families
- MDHHS secures nearly 100 new juvenile justice placements through partnerships with local communities and providers
- MDHHS seeking proposals for student internship stipend program to enhance behavioral health workforce
- ABA webinar November 30 to explore the state of civil legal aid in America
headlines National
- Bryanna Jenkins advocates for the Black transgender community
- ACLU and BigLaw firm use ‘Orange is the New Black’ in hashtag effort to promote NY jail reform
- Florida AG held in civil contempt for disobeying order; ‘litigants cannot change the plain meaning of words,’ judge says
- Barrister’s new mystery novel offers glimpse inside the Inner Temple
- Disbarment recommended for ex-Trump lawyer Eastman by State Bar Court of California panel
- Retired California justice faces disciplinary charges for allegedly taking too long to decide cases