The Morgan Hill man accused of killing his girlfriend and leaving her body near the railroad tracks behind their home June 15 was in court Tuesday for a general appearance on the charge of murder.
Michael Sheppard, 61 of Morgan Hill, appeared at the South County Courthouse, handcuffed and wearing a Santa Clara County Jail jumpsuit, where he waived his right to a speedy trial.
His next appearance in court is scheduled for Aug. 27 for a plea hearing.
Sheppard is accused of killing his live-in girlfriend, Bertha Paulson, 46 of Morgan Hill, early in the morning June 15 at the couple’s home at the Morgan Hill Apartments complex in north Morgan Hill.
According to police, Sheppard and Paulson were in a verbal fight that escalated to physical violence. During the fight, Paulson became unconscious and Sheppard was unable to revive her.
Sheppard allegedly transported Paulson’s body to an area next to the Union Pacific railroad tracks behind the mobile home and apartment complex at 17880 Monterey Road and left her there, police said. Paulson was found about 9 a.m. June 15 by local residents walking their dog. She was found partially clothed, wearing only pants pulled down around her knees and a jacket placed over her upper body like a blanket.
Morgan Hill police arrested Sheppard June 16, after he reportedly told officers he killed Paulson.
Sheppard was arraigned June 19 on the charge of murder. If convicted, he faces 25 years to life in prison, according to authorities.
The incident is Morgan Hill’s first homicide of 2013, police said. In 2012, there were nine domestic violence related deaths in Santa Clara County.
