13 Oct
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — A convicted murderer beat his mother to death during an argument, just two days after he was released from prison, authorities said.
Gwendolyn Pratt, 64, was found dead around 6:30 a.m. Sunday at a home in Atlantic City, The Press of Atlantic City reported. An autopsy determined she died from massive blunt injuries to the head, Atlantic County prosecutor Jim McClain said in a statement.
Her 45-year-old son, Steven Pratt, was detained at the scene and charged with murder. He was being held on $1 million bail, and it was not known if he has retained an attorney.
A neighbor of the victim told the newspaper that the Pratt family had just thrown a welcome-home party for Steven. The neighbor, Ruan Tilghman-Pugh, said Steven had asked a cousin whether he could stay with him after having a disagreement with an aunt with whom he was staying over the weekend.