LAKEPORT — A Clearlake woman who was charged with first-degree burglary and elder abuse was sentenced to 11 years in state prison on Friday.
On Feb. 23, the Clearlake Police Department (CPD) responded to a 911 call. Upon arrival, they found a 65-year-old female victim who had been beaten in her home.
Autumn Marie Cole, 23, of Clearlake, admitted to officers that she participated in the crime.
According to CPD investigative reports, the victim had been sleeping when three individuals, including Cole, entered her bedroom after prying the door to her mobile home open.
They turned off her oxygen machine that she used while sleeping, tied her legs with a phone cord and electrical cord, put a pillow over face and began beating her with a flashlight, according to a report from the case”s prosecutor, Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.
The victim was transported to Redbud Hospital where she was diagnosed with a laceration to her head, numerous bruises and four broken ribs. She subsequently contracted pneumonia as a result of the assault.
Cole and her two accomplices were located and arrested as a result of investigation by officers, as well as her bloody clothes she disposed of after fleeing the scene.
Cole initially denied being involved, but later admitted to officers that she participated in the crimes and stated they went to the residence to steal items to sell for drugs.
Cole pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary and elder abuse and admitted inflicting great bodily injury and using a dangerous weapon on the victim.
Hinchcliff argued for the upper term citing as aggravating factors that the crime was planned, it was particularly brutal and serious, and Cole”s criminal history going back 12 years, including two prior felony drug convictions.
In addition, Cole had only been out of prison and on parole for nine days prior to committing the assault.
Defense attorney Stephen Carter asked the court to impose the middle term, but Judge Richard Martin, after hearing sentencing arguments from Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff, sentenced Cole to the upper term.
In addition to the 11-year sentence, Cole was fined $5,000.
Because of the seriousness of the crimes, she will be required to serve 85 percent of the sentence rather than the typical 50 percent.
Cole will not be eligible for parole until 2015.
