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opinion») Pageto , - 4Unanswered questions in death statementToo many questions have been left unanswered in the deaths of Danny Martin and David Eichelberger of rural West Liberty.A brief, two-paragraph statement was issued Tuesday by the Muscatine County Sheriff’s office and the Iowa Bureau of Criminal Investigation, saying that the deaths are believed to be murder and suicide.The implied conclusion is that Martin was murdered by Eichelberger who then took his own life by hanging.That may very well be what happened — but it will be difficult for many, many persons to believe unless there are further explanations.Law enforcement officials have declined almost without exception to discuss details of the case with news media. Most of what is known about the deaths came from the medical examiner’s report. The rest is a mixture of rumor and conjecture.If the deaths were indeed murder-suicide, there must be conclusive evidence to indicate that fact. Instead of issuing a vague statement that this conclusion is based on thefindings of the investigations, why don’t the law enforcement people cite the specific pieces of evidence to support this belief?Instead of talking with reporters, and answering some of the questions which must be on the minds of many persons, the sheriff and the state agents have chosen to say nothing beyond their brief, typed “news releases.” That is, in effect, saying to all people: “We’ll tell you exactly what we want you to know, and nothing more.” It is a dangerous habit to begin. It should not be tolerated by the citizens of this county and state.As difficult as it is for the family involved, the theory of murder-suicide would be preferable to the thought that a murderer is still at loose preying on the young people of this area. But, how do we know that is what happened?It would help to settle a lot of minds if the law enforcement people would openly give their reasons for the murder-suicide conclusion. .-Gil Dietz
Newspaper Details
Muscatine Thursday Muscatine Journal
Muscatine, Iowa, US
Thu, Jul 10, 1975
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
James L.
IA, USA 25 Jun 2016
Other Publications Near Muscatine, Iowa
Muscatine Journal and News Tribune
New Indexed Atlas of Muscatine County Iowa
Atlas of Muscatine County Iowa
Muscatine Daily Journal
Muscatine Weekly Journal
