Md. Man Gets Suspended Sentence For Elderly Abuse

WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) -- A Carroll County man has avoided jail time in a plea deal stemming from the alleged rape of a 92-year-old woman.

The Carroll County Times reports that 69-year-old Robert Talbert of Hampstead received a five-year suspended sentence Monday.

Talbert entered an Alford plea to a reduced charge of abusing a vulnerable adult. In Alford plea, the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges that prosecutors have enough evidence for a conviction.

Talbert was initially charged with three counts of second-degree rape and one count of fourth-degree sex offense. Defense attorney Leonard Shapiro says his client contends the contact was consensual.

Circuit Judge Barry Hughes rejected the prosecution's request to sentence Talbert to home detention. Defense attorney Shapiro says Talbert is a daily caretaker for his invalid wife.