Man sentenced to 19 years in prison for strangling mother in Kitsap County

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. -- After pleading guilty to attempted first-degree murder for strangling his mother, a suspect praised Kitsap County officials for the mental health care he received in jail.

The Kitsap Sun reports that Michael Dean Thayer told the judge Thursday that he's safe from himself now, and every day he gets better.

He was then sentenced him to 19 years in prison.

With the time he has served in jail and discounts for good behavior, he won't be released until he is 80.

Eighty-nine-year-old Frances Thayer survived the attack and recovered enough to leave the rehabilitation facility but then died about five months after the attack.

Deputy Prosecutor Phil Bacus said if the case would have gone to trial, prosecutors would have added a charge of first-degree murder, but proving she died from the attack would have been difficult.