Woman, 85, Who Killed Sister, 86, Placed on Three Years’ Probation
An 85-year-old woman who beat her older sister to death with a mop received three years’ probation Friday and was ordered to remain at her retirement home under virtual house arrest.
Edna Lamont was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the March 12 bludgeoning death of her sister, Mary McBride, 86.
Lamont told authorities the victim suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative ailment that robs individuals of their mental faculties.
Deputy Dist. Atty. T. K. Herman called the sentence appropriate.
“There was strong evidence that (Lamont) was suffering from the same kind of mental dementia that the deceased suffered,” Herman said.
Lamont was not present at her sentencing because of deteriorating health, he said, adding that she had completely blocked the slaying from her mind.
Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Robert Thomas convicted Lamont of involuntary manslaughter, based on preliminary hearing transcripts, after a Municipal Court judge changed her murder charge to the lesser offense.
Lamont was ordered not to leave her retirement home without a judge’s approval, and then only when supervised by a probation officer.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
