Morgan Hill Man Arrested in City's First Homicide of Year
By Bay City News ••
Morgan Hill police made an arrest in connection with the death of a woman whose partially nude body was found near the railroad tracks in Morgan Hill Saturday.
Police identified the victim as 46-year-old Bertha Paulson, a Morgan Hill resident.
Police are investigating whether Paulson had been sexually assaulted, police spokesman Capt. Shane Palsgrove said Monday.
Investigators arrested Michael Sheppard, a 61-year-old Morgan Hillman, at about 10 p.m. Saturday on suspicion of murder and felony domestic violence, Palsgrove said.
Sheppard was believed to have been romantically involved with Paulson, and the two had allegedly argued over "fidelity issues" prior to her death, Palsgrove said.
Police believe Paulson was knocked unconscious during a physical assault in the trailer she shared with Sheppard.
Her body was found around 9 a.m. Saturday in an easement about 15 feet from the railroad tracks behind a trailer park at 17880 Monterey Road.
Police said her pants were pulled down past her knees and a jacket had been placed over her head.
Morgan Hill police began to investigate the death with assistance from the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office and the county crime lab and medical examiner's office, Palsgrove said.
Union Pacific Railroad police also helped investigate since the body was found on railroad property, Palsgrove said.
Police are awaiting autopsy results from the medical examiner's office to determine the nature of the assault, he said.
Anyone with information about the incident is being urged to contact Morgan Hill police Detective Jason Broyer at (408) 779-2101 or call the anonymous tip line at (408) 947-7867.
