MONTEREY COUNTY (BCN) — A Salinas man has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in connection with the death of his father, Monterey County District Attorney
Dean Flippo announced Tuesday.
Matthew Roberts, 35, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and additional enhancements for prior violent convictions, prosecutors said.
He is scheduled for sentencing on April 19 and faces a maximum term of 22 years in state prison.
On Feb. 16, 2015, Salinas Police Department officers discovered the body of 71-year-old Jerry Roberts wrapped in plastic and bed sheets and in a box within a travel trailer parked in front of the victim’s Salinas residence, prosecutors said.
Officers responded to the scene because the victim’s daughter became concerned after she wasn’t able to contact her father for more than a week.
Prosecutors said investigators found materials used to wrap the victim’s body in the house where both Matthew Roberts and his father lived.
The medical examiner estimated the victim had been dead for about seven to 10 days before his body was found.
Investigators also discovered Matthew Roberts was using the victim’s truck and withdrew money from his bank account during the time his father was dead, prosecutors said.