Man who abused mother loses appeal over sentence

FLINT (AP) -- The Michigan appeals court has upheld a stiff sentence for a Genesee County man who charged his mother $450 a month to live in a disgusting house. The issue was whether the minimum 32-month prison sentence for abuse was justified because it exceeded state guidelines. After considering the evidence, a three-judge panel said last week it had no objection, noting that Anthony Cunturso's diabetic mother was living in a filthy home that lacked water and steady heat. The court says the house in spring 2009 was full of cockroach feces, and Cunturso's mother was sleeping in her own urine. Police officers at the home were gagging. Genesee County Judge Joseph Farah says the conditions left him "near speechless." Cunturso pleaded guilty to second-degree adult abuse. Published: Tue, Apr 19, 2011