Santa Rosa man gets 10-year sentence for attacking mother

A Santa Rosa man who attacked his elderly mother with a cast iron skillet was sentenced Friday to 10 years, four months in state prison.

Robert Churich, 58, was sentenced Friday by Sonoma County Judge Peter Ottenweller.

In December, a jury found Churich guilty of felony assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse.

Churich’s mother, who was identified as Jane Doe during the trial, testified that her son became enraged after she confronted him about letting her dog eat walnuts. Churich followed her into a garage, pushed her to the ground and beat her over the head with one skillet until the handle broke, when he grabbed a second, she said.

The mother was able to escape to a neighbor’s house. Churich was apprehended the next day.

District Attorney Jill Ravitch noted in a statement that the assault was unprovoked and after his arrest Churich said he enjoyed striking his mother.

“Clearly this defendant earned a lengthy prison sentence,” said Ravitch.