PRINCETON, W.Va. — A Mercer County woman pleaded guilty Monday to attempted murder and first-degree robbery in the beating of an elderly Bluefield woman.
Angela Graham, 41, of Bluefield, was arrested Jan. 20 with her boyfriend Wayne Hartley, 44, in connection to the attack on 81-year-old Patricia Hartley.
Hartley’s body was found severely beaten in her Wythe Avenue home.
Graham entered the plea as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. She will be eligible for parole after 18 years and four months, according to Prosecuting Attorney George Sitler. Graham also agreed to testify in Wayne Hartley’s trial as part of the plea.
The attempted murder charge has a three-to-15 year prison sentence, and the first-degree robbery charge is limited to 60 years.
Patricia Hartley told detectives Graham struck her with a marble rolling pin before pushing her down a flight of stairs. Graham also hit her with a baseball bat and cut a wrist with a paring knife.
Investigators said Wayne Hartley was at home during the attack and did nothing.
They also said the attack was connected to stealing a debit card and using it to buy drugs. Both Graham and Wayne Hartley were caught on Wythe Avenue after buying drugs.
Neighbors found Patricia Hartley after hearing her screams.
Patricia Hartley did not wish to testify, and she suffered from post traumatic stress disorder since the attack. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Janet Williamson said she has also sold her home and its contents.