Mother sentenced in identity theft case

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A Fort Atkinson woman whose son was charged with killing his autistic half brother has been sentenced to a year for using the victim's public assistance benefit.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports 49-year-old Laura Robar pleaded no contest to two counts of identity theft Monday.

She's accused of using a Quest card belonging to 27-year-old Matthew Graville within weeks of his death to buy groceries.

Prosecutors have accused Graville's half-brother Jeffrey Vogelsberg of regularly torturing and finally killing him in Mazomanie last July.

Robar wasn't related to Graville but helped with financial affairs.

Dane County Judge Julie Genovese says Robar's crime exceeded the misusing of benefit. She says Robar likely knew Graville was gone at the time.

Vogelsberg is due in court in May where Robar may testify.