Covenant: Staff Not Asked to Notify Police of Becker's Release

Mark Becker, 24, of Parkersburg, has been charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of Ed Thomas.

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Jun 25, 2009 at 11:04 AM CST

Story Updated: Feb 10, 2010 at 5:30 PM CST

PARKERSBURG (AP) - An Iowa hospital says it treated a 24-year-old man brought in by law enforcement officials and released him shortly before he allegedly gunned down his former football coach.

Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo said in a statement Thursday that its staff was not asked to notify authorities before releasing Mark Becker.

Becker was arrested Saturday after allegedly threatening a Cedar Falls homeowner with a bat and leading police on a high-speed car chase. Cedar Falls police say they asked to be notified when Becker could leave the hospital.

The hospital did not say what days it treated Becker, but state officials have said he was released Tuesday.

Becker is charged with murdering Aplington-Parkersburg High School football coach Ed Thomas on Wednesday.

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