Trial ordered in woman's death

The last hours of Mary Grayer’s life, according to two Omaha police homicide detectives, included a physical confrontation with her boyfriend in which he tore his shirt from her and berated her as a drug user who prostituted herself for crack.

The boyfriend, Larry Ebberson, 52, appeared in Douglas County Court on Friday.

After hearing from Detectives Sherry King and Dan Martin, Judge Edna Atkins found there was sufficient evidence for Ebberson to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder and third-degree domestic assault in connection with Grayer’s death.

Police said Ebberson, who's being held on $1 million bail, called 911 late the night of July 23 and reported that his girlfriend was passed out in the yard, probably from an overdose.

Hours later, doctors at Creighton University Medical Center called Omaha police to say it was no overdose.

Grayer, 53, had bleeding on the brain and was not going to live.

Friday’s testimony was heated at times.

Martin relayed how another detective told him that during a break in a videotaped interview with Ebberson, the detective stepped out of the room. With the tape still running, Martin said, Ebberson said to himself, "I can’t believe I killed her."

Upon hearing Martin’s testimony, Ebberson blurted out an obscenity. One of Grayer’s friends or relatives then directed an obscenity of her own at Ebberson, who answered with another obscenity of his own.

Martin told Ebberson’s attorney, Brenda Leuck, a public defender, that he didn’t hear the comment himself or view the tape.

Several neighbors of the couple told police about seeing the couple fight about 7 p.m. July 23. During the fight, Grayer’s red, black and blue floral print shirt was torn from her. Neighbors said Ebberson had dragged her across the street of their home, which is opposite Omaha North High School’s football field, as he berated her.

Martin said one neighbor told police that a daughter of Ebberson’s showed up at the home to take Grayer away. Grayer had called that woman for a ride.

Martin said the neighbor told Martin that the daughter and Ebberson argued and that Ebberson said, "I’ve spent 22 years in prison and I’ll serve 22 more. I will kill her."

Ebberson later told police that Grayer never returned to the home after leaving, but one friend told police that said she saw Grayer walk into the home shortly after 10 p.m. Ebberson, the friend said, was waiting in the doorway.

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