A New Jersey woman accused of beating her 80-year-old mother to death with a broomstick acted in self-defense after the older woman attacked her, a defense attorney argued Tuesday.
65-year-old Loretta A. Barr hit her mother, Florence Dicriscio, multiple times with a broomstick during a dispute on August 6, according to prosecutors. Dicriscio died three days later.
A neighbor called 911 after finding Dicriscio outside appearing upset and injured, according to Assistant Prosecutor Dana Anton.
When police arrived, Dicriscio told police her daughter beat her up, struck her in the head with a broom and locked her out of the apartment, the prosecutor said.
Police tried to speak to Barr at the scene, but they found the apartment door barricaded with a microwave oven cart, prosecutors said.
Barr gave police a different account of what happened.
Defense attorney Mark Bernstein said Barr was the sole caregiver for her mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and that her mother was prone to violence.
“Her mother had several episodes where she was violent towards (Barr),” Bernstein said.
On the evening of the alleged beating, Barr said Dicriscio attacked her, scratched her face and then fell during the scuffle and banged her head on the floor, Bernstein said. The daughter’s account made no reference to anyone using a broom as a weapon.
Barr barricaded the door to keep Dicriscio out because her mother “was out of control at that point,” the attorney continued.
His client acted in self-defense, Bernstein said. The attorney also stated the family could not afford to place Dicriscio in a care facility.
The extent of Dicriscio’s injuries wasn’t discovered until she was evaluated at a hospital and diagnosed with a brain bleed, broken ribs and compacted vertebrae, according to court documents.
She was transported to a hospital in Philadelphia, where she died August 9.
An autopsy determined she died of blunt force trauma to the head and chest, officials said.
Neighbors told police they heard a struggle from the apartment and banging sounds the night of the incident, Anton stated, adding that, “It sounded like bodies being thrown around.”
At one point, when referring to her mother, Barr allegedly told police, “She needs to feel what she’s done,” Anton said.
Barr is charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter and fourth-degree weapons possession.
Anton argued for Barr’s pre-trial detention based on the violent nature of the alleged crime. The prosecutor also cited her past record, which includes convictions for weapons possession and domestic violence contempt, along with two prior restraining orders signed against her several years ago by two different men.
Bernstein countered that Barr’s prior record involved matters from 20 years ago and that she had no other current cases. She is not a threat to anyone, has remained employed and is a longtime New Jersey resident who could live with her son if released pre-trial, the attorney said.
“This was an isolated incident. Ms. Barr was acting in self-defense,” Bernstein re-stated in arguing for her release.
Superior Court Judge Linda Lawhun ruled, in accordance with a public safety assessment conducted by the court, that Barr should remain behind bars until trial.
“I really don’t have a clear understanding as to how this could have occurred,” the judge said. “I understand and accept the fact that patients with Alzheimer’s can and do become violent, but we’re talking here about an 80-year-old woman and I’m trying to comprehend how whatever the issue was … could have led to the circumstances here.”
While the judge said she understood the defense claim that no assault with a broomstick occurred and that the victim simply fell and struck her head, Lawhun questioned why Barr didn’t call 911 seeking help for her mother after the alleged fall.
“The circumstances do show a disregard for life and a disregard for the safety and security of other individuals,” the judge said.
Barr, who appeared for the virtual hearing from the Salem County Correctional Facility, appeared to grow emotional as the judge spoke and wiped her eyes several times.
She did not speak during the hearing.
Barr is scheduled to return to court Sept. 22 for a pre-indictment hearing.
Tell us your thoughts...