Georgia Woman Sentenced for Murder of Elderly Woman

Photo: Cathy Lynne Lentini is in custody of officials following an 11 to 14 year prison sentencing. Courtesy of Facebook.com.

A Georgia woman arrested for beating to death a 91-year-old Raleigh woman with a tire iron was sentenced to 11 to 14 years in prison Monday.

Cathy Lynne Lentini, 53, of Cartersville, Ga., entered a plea of second-degree murder in Wake County on Monday for the 2001 death of Beulah Dickerson. Officials in the 13-year-old murder case never had enough evidence to convict anyone until witnesses came forward, claiming Lentini admitted to the crime in 2002 while serving time for embezzlement, Assistant District Attorney Howard Cummings said.

Dickerson, who lived near Lentini’s aunt in Raleigh, N.C., was found beaten to death in her bedroom on Oct. 24, 2001. Lentini told witnesses that she used a tire iron to attack Dickerson. Officials said Dickerson died from blunt trauma.

Police found a bloody tire iron matching the description and a bloody sock of Lentini’s, which she claimed to have over her hands during the attack. Lentini said she never meant for anyone to get hurt and needed money for a drug debt.

Witnesses eventually came forward, saying Lentini confessed to the crime while in prison.

Dickerson’s granddaughter, Sharon Dickerson, said during Monday’s sentencing that her grandmother was enjoying retirement before the attack and spent her time caring for her roses and teaching Sunday school.

“The life of Beulah Dickerson was taken from us in a cruel, terrible act of violence. No one should have to endure such suffering,” Dickerson said. “To her killer, you took away her joy, laughter and her love for us. I hope you spend your time in prison thinking about what you have done and asking for God’s forgiveness.”