Man charged in mother’s death

A Fountain Valley man who pleaded guilty in 2010 for hitting his mother with a shovel was charged with murder, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.

Joyce Char, 74, died in December from blunt force trauma to the head as a result of the attack, according to the D.A.

If convicted, Robert Lawrence Char, 49, could face up to 26 years to life in state prison. His arraignment was scheduled for Wednesday at the Central Jail in Santa Ana, according to D.A.

Robert Char was sentenced to nine years in Vacaville State Prison on July 9, 2010, after pleading guilty to attempted murder, elder and dependant abuse and causing bodily injury to an elder, among other charges, the release said.

Robert Char repeatedly hit his mother in the head with the shovel following a verbal argument on June 20, 2009, according to the D.A. She asked him to work around the house and that’s when he became angry and demanded that she leaves his room. When Joyce Char didn’t leave the room, he grabbed the shovel and began attacking her.

Joyce Char was transported to the hospital and remained unresponsive until her death, according to the D.A.

Robert Char was charged with his mother’s murder on Feb. 9.

—Mona Shadia