Garden City Man Sentenced for Strangling His Mother

A Garden City man convicted of strangling his elderly mother to death was sentenced on Monday.

James Olsen, 60, was sentenced to spend 17 years to life behind bars after he was found guilty in May of second-degree murder in the death of 88-year-old Ruth Olsen, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.

“This tragedy isn’t over, Mr. Olsen, but I hope that you find some peace,” Judge Angelo Delligatti said in court as he handed the sentence down, according to Newsday.

“Every senior deserves to be cared for in their twilight years in an environment free from violence, with dignity, love, and respect,” Nassau DA Kathleen Rice said in a statement.

“This tragedy could have been averted if Mr. Olsen had just reached out for help instead of lashing out against his ailing mother.”

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Olsen was arrested and charged April 21, 2011 in his College Place home after calling 911 and telling police he had strangled his mother, cops said.

Responding officers from the Nassau County and Garden City police departments said they found Ruth Olsen dead with a tie around her neck. James Olsen also had self-inflicted slash wounds to his wrists and neck, detectives said.

Prosecutors claimed Olsen had grown tired of being a caretaker for Ruth Olsen, who had Alzheimer’s disease, and had become anxious about money, according to Newsday.

During the trial, Garden City defense attorney Paul Delle laid out an insanity defense during Olsen’s trial this month and claimed his client “ didn’t have murderous intent,” Newsday reported.