N.J. woman pleads guilty to beating mom to death with broomstick

A New Jersey woman has pleaded guilty to beating her elderly mother to death two years ago.

Loretta Barr, now 67, admitted her guilt on one count of second-degree murder in the death of Florence Dicriscio in August 2022, NJ.com reported on Wednesday.

Barr faces between five and seven years in prison, according to NJ.com . Prosecutors agreed to seek less than the maximum sentence as part of her plea deal.

Police said Barr attacked Dicriscio, 80, on Aug. 6, 2022, at their home in Washington Township, about 15 miles south of Philadelphia.

Barr beat Dicriscio with a broomstick and then locked her out of the apartment , according to investigators. Dicriscio was conscious when cops arrived and told them what happened.

First responders didn’t realize the extent of Dicrisio’s injuries until she was taken to a Philadelphia hospital, where doctors found her suffering from a brain bleed, broken ribs and compacted vertebrae. She died three days later .

During pretrial hearings, Barr’s attorneys argued she acted in self-defense. They claimed Dicriscio attacked her daughter first before falling and hitting her head. They also said Dicriscio suffered from Alzheimer’s disease , and Barr was her sole caregiver.

Prosecutors cited Barr’s prior convictions on weapons and domestic violence charges, as well as a couple old restraining orders, as evidence of her capability for violence. Additionally, an autopsy determined Dicriscio died from blunt-force trauma to the head and chest .

Barr was initially indicted on two charges: first-degree manslaughter and fourth-degree weapons possession. In the plea deal, prosecutors dropped the weapons charge and lowered the manslaughter charge to second-degree, according to NJ.com .

Barr’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 13 in Gloucester County court .