Man sentenced to life in deaths of parents

PONTIAC (AP) - A 54-year-old suburban Detroit man has been sentenced to life in prison for beating his 87-year-old father and 85-year-old mother to death with hammers.

Oakland County Circuit Judge Colleen O'Brien told Jeffrey Maurer on Tuesday that his actions were "reprehensible and a shock to the community."

Maurer declined to speak on his behalf. He has a history of mental illness and substance abuse.

A jury found him guilty in July of first-degree premeditated murder in the slayings of William and Gayle Maurer.

Their bodies were found Jan. 19 in a vehicle inside the garage of their Rochester Hills home, north of Detroit. They were bludgeoned two days earlier with two hammers and a heavy tea kettle.

Jeffrey Maurer lived with his parents. Prosecutors have said he wanted their money.

Published: Thu, Sep 03, 2015