March 9, 2010

The man who attacked an elderly woman while robbing a Buckingham County store has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Larry Baber, the victim's son and the store owner, said he's relieved that the person responsible for last year's armed robbery is headed to jail, and he's especially thankful that he bought the security system that led to his arrest.

It's been a few months since Frances Baber stared down the barrel of a shotgun during a robbery on her 78th birthday. Larry, who was making a bank deposit during the robbery, said his mother's health has declined since the crime.

"Since then, she's had surgery for blockage in one of her arteries, she's had real bad back problems, and I think this did not help," Larry said.

Frances' husband was also robbed and beaten in the same convenience store more than 10 years ago. He died from those injuries. Larry said he thinks that memory, along with the robbery and prior medical problems, has added up to too much for his mother.

"A 78-year-old woman should not have had to go through what she went through," he said.

The man responsible, Malcolm Mosley, will serve five years in prison for the crime, and will be put on probation when he gets out. Baber said he isn't sure if five years is enough time.

"He's been in trouble before, and I don't know if five years will be a good enough lesson for him," Larry said. 'I hope it will be."

Meanwhile, Larry said he feels like his mother, who now stays home all the time, has been in prison, saying she's not the same person she was before that day.

"She liked to sit and meet the public," he said. "I mean, she's been doing it most of her life."

Baber said he also hopes that this provides some closure to his mother, and that she starts going out again.

Mosley could face up to 25 years in prison if he violates his probation.