FORT WAYNE – A former University of Saint Francis student was given a three-year sentence, with one year served and two years on probation, this morning in Allen Superior Court for his role in a 2011 sexualFORT WAYNE -- Allen County prosecutors charged an Auburn man Thursday with murder in connection with the Saturday beating death of 42-year-old Gregory A. Funich.
Michael R. Alexander, 33, was pulled over Saturday evening for suspicion of drunken driving after IPFW police saw him driving with a flat tire. Alexander was driving Funich’s car, in possession of his wallet and had blood on his clothes, officials said.
He was arrested on preliminary charges of aggravated battery, resisting law enforcement and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
Funich’s death was ruled a homicide by the Allen County Coroner’s Office, caused by blunt force trauma. His body was discovered inside his home in the 5300 block of Lonesome Oak Court.
He had multiple cuts on his head and face, a severe cut to his nose, another severe cut to his right ear, abrasions to his forehead and a complex comminuted skull fracture, an injury in which the skull is broken into small pieces, according to court documents. There was also another fracture at the base of his skull.
Alexander now faces two counts of murder, a single charge of robbery causing serious bodily injury, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and resisting law enforcement.
For more on this story, see Friday’s print edition of The Journal Gazette or visit www.journalgazette.net after 3 a.m. Friday.
rgreen@jg.net
