Derek Cook sentenced to 20 years for murdering his mother

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The man charged with killing his 81-year-old mother was sentenced to 20 years in jail.

On the evening of Aug. 12, police officers found Anne Alfredia Cook severely injured in her apartment. She was taken to a hospital, where she died later that night. According to court documents, Derek Cook and his mother had been having a conversation when Cook began to repeatedly strike Cook with a closed fist. The 81-year-old yelled for help when Cook began repeatedly beating her with a wooden stick and an iron. At the time of the beating, his mother was unarmed and in bed.

When the police officers arrived at the apartment building, Derek Cook would not let police into the apartment. Police had to ram down the apartment door to gain entry. Derek Cook was arrested that night and has remained in prison ever since.

In September the 52-year-old pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed as part of a plea deal. After the sentenced is fulfilled, he will be placed on five years of supervised release.