82-Year-Old Sentenced to Prison for Killing Roommate

Barbara Brand, 82, shot and killed Paul Slysh Jr., 57, in their trailer in July 2012

An 82-year-old woman accused of shooting and killing her 57-year-old roommate in their Bay Park home last July was sentenced to 10 years in state prison Friday.

According to police, Barbara Brand shot Paul Slysh Jr. several times inside their trailer park home in the 1500 block of Morena Boulevard on Jul. 12, 2012.

Investigators say Brand shot Slysh after he allegedly made insulting comments about her granddaughter. Brand became upset over the comments, took out a gun that belonged to her deceased husband and shot Slysh. She then called authorities to report what she had done.

Brand was taken into custody.

Initially, Slysh was expected to survive his injuries. However, his condition deteriorated and he died at the hospital two days after the shooting.

Brand and Slysh had been on-and-off roommates for years, investigators said. They had known each other since 1984.

Slysh's father, Paul Slysh Sr., told NBC 7 his son and Brand had a "mother-son" type of relationship. He also said Slysh suffered from paranoia and schizophrenia.

Following the shooting on Jul. 12, Brand’s neighbors told NBC 7 that Brand and Slysh appeared to have a strained relationship and would often argue about money.

Brand pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter on Dec. 11. She will now be booked into state prison.

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