Man convicted of murder in Grand Rapids 25 years later

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.