A Keaau man was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years in prison for bludgeoning his mother to death in 2020.
On May 1, 2020, the then-61-year-old Robert Merrill called first responders to the Hawaiian Paradise Park home he shared with his mother. In the call, he reportedly told the dispatcher, “I killed her. I had a reason.”
His mother, 82-year-old Betty Jean Merrill, was found dead, with her face beaten beyond recognition and a bloodstained object that police described as “resembling a Native American stone axe” found on a nearby counter.
Robert Merrill was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. After years of hearings, including mental health examinations, he pleaded guilty to felony manslaughter on Oct. 26 of last year and appeared in court Tuesday for sentencing.
Merrill’s attorney, William Harrison, on Tuesday acknowledged the severity of his client’s actions, but noted Merrill’s history of mental illness and called his fateful actions in 2020 “aberrant” compared to his usual demeanor.
“He was a long-time caregiver for his mother for years before,” Harrison said.
Merrill himself seemed distraught Tuesday, making a brief statement before the court.
“I want to say how sorry I am,” Merrill said. “It tears me up. … She was a big part of my life. She looked out for me.
“I wouldn’t have done it,” Merrill went on before trailing off.
Third Circuit Court Judge Henry Nakamoto sentenced Merrill to 20 years of incarceration with little aplomb.
While Merrill’s murder case has been resolved, he still is involved in an active lawsuit against the estate of one of his earlier defense attorneys. Last August, Merrill and his cousin sued the estate of Brian De Lima, who Merrill hired in 2020 to represent him, before De Lima eventually died in 2022.
The lawsuit alleges malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty and theft, claiming De Lima misappropriated more than $90,000 from Merrill through overbilling and not disclosing a $50,000 “flat fee” upon being hired.
The suit remains active, although no future hearings on the matter are currently scheduled.
Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.