Man sentenced in death of his mother

A Malaga man was sentenced to 16 years in prison for beating his mother to death.

Jesus Navarro, 44, pleaded no contest to a single count of second degree murder in the death of 67-year-old Hortencia Jimenez.

“He pleaded no contest and was given the maximum sentence on second degree murder,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Patrick Melvin.

Navarro was originally charged in February with an open count of murder. The murder charge was reduced and he also pleaded no contest to tampering with evidence and possession of a firearm or destructive device by a felon.

Court documents show that Navarro was sentenced to 15 years, with an additional year added to the sentence as Navarro was identified as a habitual offender.

Melvin said Navarro will serve sentences on the other counts concurrently with the murder charge.

Navarro was accused of attacking Jimenez following an argument on Jan. 31 at the family home on Black River Village Road.

According to a criminal complaint, Jimenez died on Feb. 2 after suffering a beating. In an interview with investigators Navarro admitted to punching and kicking his mother.

Navarro told investigators he was upset with his mother over missing tools before attacking her.

Per the criminal complaint, investigators noted that Navarro said he felt bad for what he did and was sorry.