Man Says He Was Tortured By Relatives

A Spokane man who may have been tortured by his common-law wife and two relatives is recovering in a local hospital, police said.

Officers were called to the First Step Club, 1927 E. First, about 5:30 a.m. Saturday.

Volunteers saw the 42-year-old victim, who called himself Ron, wander into the club and fall asleep on a couch.

“They kept waking him up, but he kept falling over back to sleep,” said volunteer Robert Reiman. The club is a haven for recovering addicts, alcoholics and homeless people, Reiman said.

After monitoring the victim for a while, volunteers called police. When officers arrived, they found the man had a broken nose, and numerous cuts and bruises.

After he was taken to a hospital, police learned his body was covered with severe bruises, cuts and abrasions. There were also second- and third-degree burns.

The man told police the beatings and abuse had been going on for several months.

Officers went to 1619 E. Desmet, where the victim and his common-law wife, Eunice D. Eichoff, 49, live with another couple - Theresa Marie Bowe-Spickler, 36, and her husband, William H. Bowe Jr., 39. Bowe-Spickler is Eichoff’s sister.

After gathering evidence at the residence, police arrested the three on suspicion of second-degree assault.

The victim was reported in satisfactory condition late Sunday. His name was not released by police.

, DataTimes