Today, Dennis Testa Jr., 40, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for beating an elderly woman in Cape Coral. Testa pled guilty to charges of Aggravated Battery Causing Great Harm on a Person 65 or Older, Criminal Mischief ($1000 or More), and Trespass in Structure or Conveyance. His prison time will be followed by 7 years of probation.
In October 2017, the 77 year old victim, a rental property manager, went to check on one of the homes that she oversees in Cape Coral. As she entered the home through the garage, she saw a man standing there. Recognizing the man as Testa, the grandson of someone she knows, she asked what he was doing there and he ran out the front door.
She turned back and they met in the garage where he attacked her. He beat her with his fists causing several broken bones in her face. The swelling from her injuries was so severe that she was virtually unrecognizable to her family.
After attacking the victim Testa destroyed things inside the home to make it look like a burglary had occurred. Testa admitted to using heroin prior to the attack.
Testa’s sentence was part of a plea agreement which prevented the victim from having to testify in court and relive the incident again.
Assistant State Attorney Tyler Lovejoy, Assistant Felony Division Chief, handled the case.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
239-533-1125
ssyoen@sao20.org