HAMILTON COUNTY, OH – A 41-year-old man convicted of murdering his mother and stabbing his father during what has been described as a potential psychiatric episode in 2024 learned his fate in court earlier in August, with the judge handing down a 45-year sentence for the grisly crimes.
Almost exactly a year to the date of the originating incident, Kenneth Mortimer was handed down a 45-year sentence by Judge Christopher Wagner on August 8th in connection to the stabbing that killed his mother, Barbara, and seriously injured his father, Thomas.
During the same August 8th court appearance, Mortimer also pleaded guilty to the additional charges of involuntary manslaughter, attempted murder, kidnapping and felonious assault, as well as another felony assault stemming from a separate case.
Back on August 9th, 2024, prosecutors say Mortimer had gotten into an argument with his mother regarding a dispute over whether he could stay in the family home that evening.
The altercation reportedly became physical, with Barbera apparently asking her husband to call an emergency psychiatric service line due to their son’s erratic behavior; however, things would take a turn for the worse before assistance could arrive.
While Mortimer’s parents were seated on a couch inside their home, authorities say he retrieved a knife from the kitchen and began to attack his parents.
Barbera reportedly tried to flee out the front door, with Mortimer taking hold of her and dragging her back into the home and stabbing her several times in the process.
Mortimer’s mother ultimately died as a result of her injuries, while his father suffered a punctured lung and fractured ribs in tandem with numerous lacerations.
Cincinnati Police eventually caught up to Mortimer after he fled the home following the stabbings, with authorities saying he confessed to the crimes shortly after his arrest.
In a press release from the Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office following Mortimer’s arrest, prosecuting attorney Melissa Powers stated, “Barbara and Thomas Mortimer were just trying to get their son the help he obviously needed, and he responded with unimaginable violence.”
During Mortimer’s sentencing earlier in August, he was reportedly silent, with only his attorney speaking on his behalf and asking the judge to adhere to the recommended sentencing outlined in the plea agreement.
Janet Stansbury, the sister of Barbera, was present during Mortimer’s sentencing, telling the judge that the crime has, “changed my sense of safety and trust in others.”
Apparently, Judge Wagner was not moved by psychological reports submitted on Mortimer’s behalf in the case, saying, “Some people will say that this was, with hindsight, inevitable. I completely disagree with that. That would be an insult to the victim’s memory.”
Almost exactly a year to the date of the originating incident, Kenneth Mortimer was handed down a 45-year sentence by Judge Christopher Wagner on August 8th in connection to the stabbing that killed his mother, Barbara, and seriously injured his father, Thomas.
During the same August 8th court appearance, Mortimer also pleaded guilty to the additional charges of involuntary manslaughter, attempted murder, kidnapping and felonious assault, as well as another felony assault stemming from a separate case.
Back on August 9th, 2024, prosecutors say Mortimer had gotten into an argument with his mother regarding a dispute over whether he could stay in the family home that evening.
The altercation reportedly became physical, with Barbera apparently asking her husband to call an emergency psychiatric service line due to their son’s erratic behavior; however, things would take a turn for the worse before assistance could arrive.
While Mortimer’s parents were seated on a couch inside their home, authorities say he retrieved a knife from the kitchen and began to attack his parents.
Barbera reportedly tried to flee out the front door, with Mortimer taking hold of her and dragging her back into the home and stabbing her several times in the process.
Mortimer’s mother ultimately died as a result of her injuries, while his father suffered a punctured lung and fractured ribs in tandem with numerous lacerations.
Cincinnati Police eventually caught up to Mortimer after he fled the home following the stabbings, with authorities saying he confessed to the crimes shortly after his arrest.
In a press release from the Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office following Mortimer’s arrest, prosecuting attorney Melissa Powers stated, “Barbara and Thomas Mortimer were just trying to get their son the help he obviously needed, and he responded with unimaginable violence.”
During Mortimer’s sentencing earlier in August, he was reportedly silent, with only his attorney speaking on his behalf and asking the judge to adhere to the recommended sentencing outlined in the plea agreement.
Janet Stansbury, the sister of Barbera, was present during Mortimer’s sentencing, telling the judge that the crime has, “changed my sense of safety and trust in others.”
Apparently, Judge Wagner was not moved by psychological reports submitted on Mortimer’s behalf in the case, saying, “Some people will say that this was, with hindsight, inevitable. I completely disagree with that. That would be an insult to the victim’s memory.”
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Comments
2025-08-12T18:40-0400 | Comment by: James
The problem with not enforcing the Death Penalty now days is after a few years the bleeding hearts will let this animal out because his "good behavior"!