Joplin man pleads not guilty to murder in death of 82-year-old mother
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A Joplin man has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the death of his 82-year-old mother, who investigators say suffered a fatal head injury after being shoved to the ground.
47-year-old Anthony Betzel is accused of killing his mother, Karol Betzel, during a confrontation Friday in the parking lot of the Plaza Apartments at 1715 S. Rex Ave.
According to a probable cause statement, a witness reported seeing a man shove an elderly woman to the ground following a verbal dispute.
Investigators say Anthony acknowledged being angry during the confrontation and admitted throwing his mother's head onto the parking lot.
Karol was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Separate probate records involving Anthony R. Betzel reveal a guardianship and conservatorship case dating back to 1997, when a petition alleged he was incapacitated or disabled.
His arrest warrant set a $100,000 cash-only bond.
