Rochester Hills Man Gets Life for Killing Parents with Hammer

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Jeffrey Maurer, 54, did not testify on his behalf and has maintained his silence throughout his trial, the Detroit Free Press reports. He was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder in his parents’ death last month.

The Oakland Press said Maurer has not spoken to his attorney since he was charged in in the gruesome slayings of his parents, William Joseph Maurer, 87, and Gayle Baird, 85. Their bodies were discovered Jan. 19 in a car belonging to Jeffrey Maurer.

Authorities said they had been beat to death two days earlier with a heavy tea kettle and hammers. Maurer, who lived with his parents, has a history of mental illness and substance abuse, his attorney said.

Prosecutors said Maurer killed his parents because he wanted their money.

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• Son Held in Homicide of Elderly Parents

During sentencing, Oakland County Circuit Judge Colleen O’Brien told Maurer his actions were “reprehensible and a shock to the community.”

“There is no known explanation why you acted in this manner,” she said.

Among the witnesses testifying against Maurer was a longtime friend who said the defendant offered him money to help move his parents’ bodies.

Maurer was ordered to make restitution to his parents estate in the amount of $73,000.

Maurer had a history of violence with his parents, authorities . In 2000, he was convicted of assaulting them.