A Jackson man will serve 20 to 40 years in prison for beating his 72-year-old mother to death.
John Ruelas had pleaded guilty to open murder in the January death of Margaret Ruelas. The judge ruled it was second-degree murder.
Jackson County Prosecutor John McBain argued Friday that Ruelas should be locked away for the rest of his life.
The 38-year-old Ruelas asked for leniency, saying he didn't mean to kill his mother.
