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NILES — Monday’s sentencings at the Niles courthouse included that of a Stevensville woman charged with tampering with evidence associated with the Nov. 2 homicide of an Eau Claire firefighter.

      Elizabeth Deanne Harper, 43, of Stevensville, pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and was sentenced to two years probation, 180 days in jail with credit for 84 days served, 100 hours community service and $678 in fines and costs.

      She initially was charged with being an accessory after the fact related to the Nov. 2 shooting death of firefighter Chad Medlin after an altercation in downtown Eau Claire. That charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement. Rigoberto Gomez is charged with open murder and five other felony charges in the homicide.

According to the police report, Harper picked up Gomez after the incident and took him to her mother’s home near Coloma. She talked to sheriff’s deputies Nov. 3 and then on Nov. 11 when she admitted taking guns she found in the yard and throwing them away on her way to work.

      Monday, Harper expressed remorse for her actions, saying she was ashamed of her actions, had made a terrible mistake and had learned her lesson.

“I apologize to the court, the state, the prosecutor, the sheriff’s department, my family and friends, the community I put in danger and the family of the victim,” she said.

      Berrien County Assistant Prosecutor Myrene Koch called Harper’s actions in hiding two guns and ammunition a “dangerous situation” that not only interfered in the investigation but put the community at risk. Koch noted that Harper discarded the weapons and the ammunition in an open area that others could access.

      Defense attorney Carri Briseno pointed out that this was Harper’s first felony conviction. “She was living a life where she would never think to do something this,” she said. “She’s spent a significant period of time in jail and has had time to think about her actions and the danger she put the community in.”

      “I’ve had a lot of people who say they’re remorseful and you can’t see any remorse,” Briseno added. “She’s expressed remorse since the first day I met her.”

      Berrien County Trial Court Judge Jennifer Smith said she took into account not only the danger of the situation but also Harper’s lack of much of a prior record, her remorse and the letters of support she received on Harper’s behalf. Harper’s only previous conviction was for drunk driving in 2023.

      Judge Smith noted that Harper has otherwise been a contributing member of society and crime free before the last two years. She did say however that she was concerned that nine days passed between the time Harper first talked to police and finally told them where the weapons were.

      “Those were nine days that others could have found the guns and the ammunition,” the judge said. “That would ad to what was already a tragic situation that was very serious. I know you had nothing to do with the initial homicide but the delay in telling police could have had an effect on the investigation.”

      “I have to take all that into consideration,” Judge Smith said. “I believe you are remorseful for what you did, but there has to be some sort of punishment. This sentence balances the weight of a serious case with the fact you have no prior serious record and you showed remorse.”

      In two other sentencings:

      Keane Garrett Engelberg, 40, of Niles, pleaded guilty to resisting and obstructing police and use of meth and was sentenced to five months in jail with credit for 74 days served and $248 in fines and costs. The incident occurred Nov. 22 in Niles.

      Gregory Mathew Fuzi, 42, of Niles, pleaded guilty to second offense use of meth and disorderly person and was sentenced to credit for four days served and $535 in fines and costs. The incident occurred Nov. 19 in Niles.