Rhode Island man sentenced to decades in prison after bludgeoning mother with hammer

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter Neronha announced that a Warren man has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to serve at the Adult Correctional Institutions after pleading to attempting to kill his mother in 2021.

At a hearing on August 26, 2024, before Superior Court Justice Linda Rekas Sloan, 37-year-old Kevin Mendes 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 viscously 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 that on May 24, 2021, Mendes 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 Mendes as he walked down the front porch steps with his hands in the air. Officers observed his hands and arms to be covered in blood, at which time they took him into custody.

Officers then entered the house and attended to the Mendes’ 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.

Rescue personnel transported the victim to Rhode Island Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The victim remained in a coma two weeks, followed by treatment at the 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 the very real potential of encountering dangerous and traumatic incidents like this one,” said Warren Police Chief Roy Borges. “And despite the inherent risks that accompany the role of a police officer, the men and women of the department perform their duty with great pride and care. I am glad to see that justice has been achieved here and thank the police and rescue personnel for their swift action. I also thank the Office of the Attorney General for the prosecution of this defendant and our continued partnership.”

Special Assistant Attorneys General Ariel Pittner and Jillian M. Dubois of the Office of the Attorney General and Lieutenant Christopher Perreault and Detective Joel Camara of the Warren Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case.