Battle Creek man sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison for murder of Springfield grandmother

SPRINGFIELD, Mich. — A Battle Creek man will spend years in prison for the murder of a Springfield grandmother.

On Monday, a judge sentenced 57-year-old Paul Hall to 25 to 50 years in prison, nearly nine months after he was accused of killing 54-year-old Della Brown in her mobile home.

According to the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, investigators found Brown's body during a welfare check at her home in Avenue A Trailer Park on December 14, 2023.

Hall, a suspect, was later found driving in Bloomington, Illinois, but refused to stop for police, officials said.

According to Calhoun County officials, he was eventually arrested on other charges and extradited to Michigan on a warrant for murder.

Due to the seriousness of the charges and because Hall is a repeat offender, he was denied bail, the court said.

“Della was a sweet girl, she would have given the shirt off her back if she had to,” said Brenda Hebbler, a friend of Brown's. “She was just a good friend and it's sad. It always happens to good people.”

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