Warren man sentenced to serve 40 years in state prison for attempting to kill his mother with hammer

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Warren man has been sentenced to spend 40 years in prison for the attempted murder of his mother.

According to Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, 37-year-old Kevin Mendes was sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to serve 40 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) after pleading to attempting to kill his mother in 2021.

Mendes entered a “no contest” plea to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in a dwelling house with intent to commit murder.

Mendes was also issued a no contact order with the victim and ordered to undergo mental health treatment.

According to officials, the defendant bludgeoned his then-53-year-old mother with a ball-peen hammer, severely fracturing her face and skull.

Upon arrival, officers discovered the defendant as he walked down the front porch steps with his hands in the air.

Officers observed the defendant’s hands and arms to be covered in blood, at which time they took him into custody.

Police entered the house and attended to the defendant’s mother, Sandra Mendes, who suffered multiple life-threatening wounds to her head and face.

Officers subsequently located a ball-peen hammer within the vicinity of the victim.

Mendes was in a coma for two weeks, followed by treatment at the Intensive Care Unit for one month, and subsequently required extensive rehabilitation services.