A Plainfield man who authorities say killed his mother then used her credit card for a spending spree received a 40-year prison sentence.
John Quackenbush, 47, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for killing his mother by beating her with a dumbbell. (Union County Prosecutor's Office) ELIZABETH -- Just over three years ago, John Quackenbush beat his mother to death with dumbbell, covered her body with a carpet, then used her credit card for a spending spree at liquor stores and restaurants, authorities say.
On Friday, Quackenbush was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the killing, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace Park said in statement.
Superior Court Judge Regina Caulfield imposed the sentence on the 47-year-old Quackenbush, Park said.
Last February, a jury convicted the son of murder, a first-degree crime that carries a maximum penalty of 30 years to life in prison.
The jury also convicted the man of two second-degree weapons possession offenses related to the killing.
Union County Assistant Prosecutor Scott Peterson, who tried the case along with assistant prosecutor Derek Nececkas, said Plainfield police officers found the body of 69-year-old Gail Vandewalle under a blanket in her Watson Avenue home on February 24, 2013.
Police had gone to the home after friends had requested officers check on Vandewalle because they had not been able to contact her for several days.
During the trial, police officers testified that Vandewalle's body was found on the living room floor of her home, covered with a carpet, and that she had wounds to her head. They said a medical examiner determined the woman had been repeatedly struck in the head with a 12-pound dumbbell that was found in the house.
The day after her body was discovered, police found Quackenbush staying at a motel in nearby Green Brook and arrested him.
The son admitted taking his mother's bank card but said he was authorized to use it. Authorities said he spent about $900 on liquor and restaurant bills. Quackenbush and his mother had shared the house, authorities said.
Vandewall had worked as a consultant at the Ethan Allen store in nearby Watchung, but had not been to work for several days, authorities said.
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