Jury to weigh death penalty for man convicted of fatally beating mother
A 53-year-old Henderson man could face the death penalty after he was convicted on Wednesday of fatally beating his mother in 2009.
The same jury that convicted Richard Kravetz of first-degree murder and other charges will next decide whether he should be put to death or face a prison term.
A penalty hearing is set to begin Thursday before District Judge David Barker. Prosecutors are expected to bring up several domestic violence convictions from the defendant’s past as aggravating factors.
Sarah Kravetz, 88, was taken to a hospital on Nov. 29, 2009, with a massive head wound. She died days later.
Richard Kravetz told authorities she had fallen four days earlier.
But Sarah Kravetz lived long enough to tell her other son, Russell Taylor, that “Richard ‘beat the hell out of her,’” according to court documents.
Taylor testified against Richard Kravetz at the week-long trial. The jury deliberated for about three hours before returning the guilty verdict.
Richard Kravetz has maintained his innocence. His lawyer, Don Green, declined to comment.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@review journal.com or 702-380-1039.
