In the small town of Eaton, Indiana, the winter of 2014 was marked by a grim discovery that shattered the community's sense of peace. Mark L. Gilland, a 50-year-old male, was found dead on Saturday, January 11, 2014. His life was cut short in a violent act that would later be revealed as a fatal shooting. The discovery of his body in a barn on his own property sent ripples of shock and grief through those who knew him.
Gilland, born on August 21, 1963, was a graduate of Wes-Del High School and had built a life in his home state, working for both Delaware Community Schools and Ball State University.
The investigation into Gilland's death quickly focused on a man who had been living on his property. William Martz, then 60 years old, had been allowed by Gilland to live in a camper on the land. The relationship between the two, however, had reportedly soured, with witnesses telling police that Gilland had intended to evict Martz. This disagreement over housing appears to have been the catalyst for the tragic events that followed. Authorities began a search for Martz, who was soon located and arrested at a hotel in Muncie. A key piece of evidence that led to his apprehension was the discovery of Gilland's truck parked outside the hotel, and a key to the barn where the victim's body was found was located inside the hotel.
Following his arrest, William Martz was charged with the murder of Mark Gilland. The legal proceedings that ensued were lengthy, with the trial being rescheduled on at least four separate occasions. Finally, in November 2015, the case went to a jury. During the trial, incriminating evidence was presented, including the presence of Martz's DNA on the grip, slide, trigger, and safety mechanism of the firearm used in the killing. After hearing the evidence, the jury returned a guilty verdict on November 18, 2015.
On December 17, 2015, justice was delivered for Mark Gilland and his family. William Martz was sentenced to sixty years in the Indiana Department of Correction for the murder. The court case, 'William Verlin Martz v. State of Indiana,' solidified the legal conclusion to a tragedy that began with an act of kindness – a landlord offering a place to stay – and ended in a senseless act of violence. The community of Eaton was left to mourn the loss of a man described as a loving father and grandfather, who enjoyed golfing, fishing, and the simple pleasure of watching old movies.
