Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that a Warren man has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to serve 40 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) after pleading guilty to attempting to kill his mother in 2021.
At a hearing on August 26, 2024, before Superior Court Justice Linda Rekas Sloan, Kevin Mendes, age 37, entered a plea of nolo contendere to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in a dwelling house with intent to commit murder. Judge Sloan sentenced the defendant to 60 years, with 40 to serve at the ACI and a twenty-year suspended sentence and 60 years of probation. Additionally, the defendant was issued a No Contact Order with the victim and ordered to undergo mental health treatment.
“This defendant received a lifetime of love and support from his mother and in return, took so much from her,” said Attorney General Neronha. “Violence is never acceptable, but for the defendant to act so viciously without provocation makes this case all the more senseless and chilling. This significant sentence reflects the gravity of the offense, and I extend my gratitude to the Warren Police Department for their good work in this case.”
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that on May 24, 2021, the defendant bludgeoned his then-53-year-old mother with a ball-peen hammer, severely fracturing her face and skull.
That morning, Warren police officers responded to an urgent call for assistance from a neighbor on Birch Swamp Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered the defendant as he walked down the front porch steps with his hands in the air. Officers observed that his hands and arms were covered in blood and subsequently took him into custody.
Officers then entered the house and attended to 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.
Rescue personnel transported Sandra Mendes to Rhode Island Hospital with life-threatening injuries. She remained in a coma for two weeks followed by treatment at an Intensive Care Unit for one month and subsequently required extensive rehabilitation services.
“Each day, members of the Warren Police Department report for duty to serve and protect our residents despite encountering dangerous incidents like this one,” said Warren Police Chief Roy Borges. “Despite inherent risks that accompany their role as police officers, they perform their duty with great pride and care. I am glad justice has been achieved here and thank police and rescue personnel for their swift action. I also thank the Office of Attorney General for prosecuting this case.”
Special Assistant Attorneys General Ariel Pittner and Jillian M. Dubois of the Office of Attorney General along with Lieutenant Christopher Perreault and Detective Joel Camara of Warren Police Department led investigation prosecution.