Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced Friday that Kevin Mendes, a 37-year-old man from Warren, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempting to kill his mother in 2021.
During a hearing on August 26, 2024, before Superior Court Justice Linda Rekas Sloan, Mendes entered a plea of nolo contendere to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in a dwelling with intent to commit murder.
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Judge Sloan sentenced Mendes to 60 years, with 40 years to be served at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI), followed by a 20-year suspended sentence and 60 years of probation. Additionally, a No Contact Order was issued, prohibiting Mendes from contacting the victim, and he was ordered to undergo mental health treatment.
“This defendant received a lifetime of love and support from his mother, and in return, inflicted unimaginable harm,” said Attorney General Neronha. “The defendant’s unprovoked and vicious act makes this case especially senseless and chilling. This significant sentence reflects the gravity of the offense, and I commend the Warren Police Department for their excellent work in bringing this case to justice.”
The State was prepared to prove at trial that on May 24, 2021, Mendes attacked his then-53-year-old mother, Sandra Mendes, with a ball-peen hammer, causing severe fractures to her face and skull.
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On the morning of the incident, Warren police responded to an urgent call from a neighbor on Birch Swamp Road. Upon arrival, officers found Mendes descending the front porch steps with his hands raised, covered in blood. He was immediately taken into custody.
Inside the house, officers found Sandra Mendes suffering from multiple life-threatening head and facial injuries. A ball-peen hammer was found near the victim. She was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital, where she remained in a coma for two weeks, followed by a month in the Intensive Care Unit, and later required extensive rehabilitation.
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“Every day, the Warren Police Department stands ready to serve and protect our community, even in the face of dangerous situations like this one,” said Warren Police Chief Roy Borges. “Our officers take great pride in their duty, despite the risks involved. I’m relieved that justice has been served, and I thank the police and rescue personnel for their swift response. I also extend my gratitude to the Office of the Attorney General for their prosecution of this case.”
The investigation and prosecution were led by Special Assistant Attorneys General Ariel Pittner and Jillian M. Dubois, in collaboration with Lieutenant Christopher Perreault and Detective Joel Camara of the Warren Police Department.
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