Husband Admits to Elder Abuse Avoids Prison

San Mateo, California . - By Michelle Durand

The San Mateo man arrested last month after a call for medical help turned up his 72-year-old wife on the floor in a severe state of neglect pleaded no contest to elder abuse.

Richard Peter Yell, 76, admitted the charge plus the special allegation the victim was older than 70 in return for no state prison. Yell also faces no more than a year in jail when he returns to court Jan. 22 for receipt of a probation report and sentencing.

Meanwhile, he is free from custody on $50,000 cash bail and even prosecutors say his wife admits she is an alcoholic who asked him to leave her alone.

On Sept. 22, 2006 Yell called 911 for his wife to be taken to the hospital from their East 40th Avenue home in San Mateo. Medical personnel reportedly found the woman on the floor with feces-covered clothing and injuries including skin ulcers, open sores, rotting flesh and cuts in her ankle bones caused by the pressure of rolled down socks for a prolonged period of time.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102.