Man gets life sentence for beating Smithfield widow

Matthew Hagert Salentine, of 212-B N. Third St. in Smithfield, was convicted of first-degree murder, first-degree burglary and first-degree robbery for an attack on 74-year-old Patricia Warren Stevens in 2010.

Posted 3:49 p.m. Nov 3, 2012 — Updated 3:49 p.m. Nov 3, 2012

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — A Johnston County jury decided against the death penalty for a man found guilty last month of beating a neighbor to death.

Matthew Hagert Salentine, of 212-B N. Third St. in Smithfield, was convicted of first-degree murder, first-degree burglary and first-degree robbery for an attack on 74-year-old Patricia Warren Stevens in 2010. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Stevens' son found her, wrapped in a rug, at her home, 309 N. Third St. Another neighbor told WRAL News his home was broken into around the same time.

Salentine's attorney said his client is bi-polar and was a crack-cocaine addict at the time of the crime.

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