Sentencing is next for St. Tammany Parish man convicted of attacking his elderly mother.
"According to testimony given during the trial, the April 11, 2025 incident began when the defendant wanted his 83-year-old mother, with whom he shared a Pearl River residence, to give him money to buy cigarettes," Assistant District Attorney Bruce Dearing said in a news release.
He says when the 83-year-old woman gave him $10, he became angry that it was not more.
"Prompting him to grab her and violently throw her to the floor, causing her to strike her head. After lying on the floor for some period, the victim was able to get to her feet and she called 911."
It took the jury 21 minutes to return a guilty verdict against 57-year-old Clifford Roberts of Pearl River on a charge of second offense domestic abuse battery.
Dearing says under the law, the maximum sentence for second offense domestic abuse battery is usually one year in prison.
"However, due to his previous criminal history, Roberts may receive a longer term. In addition to his prior domestic abuse conviction, he also has convictions for battery on a police officer (2 times), resisting an officer, DWI (4 times), attempted possession of oxycodone, simple battery, public intoxication and criminal damage to property."
Sentencing is set for November 5, 2025.