Man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter for death of his father sentenced to nearly 7 years in prison

A Spokane man was sentenced to 78 months in prison Friday after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter for beating his father to death earlier this year.

Michael B. Hermann, 27, was arrested in January after police found his father, Michael W. Hermann, 60, lying on the living room floor with head trauma, according to court documents. The father was taken to the hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to his injuries.

The father had distinct wounds on his forehead the size and shape of bottle caps with a 2-liter soda bottle lying next to him, according to court documents. Officers also observed injuries that could have been inflicted by other households items, such as nearby dumbbells, and fists, knees, elbows and feet.

Hermann had recently moved in with his father on the 1400 block of East Carlisle Avenue after his divorce six months prior, court documents say.

Hermann’s sister told police he had been mentally unstable and was a recovering drug addict.

Earlier this month, Hermann pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter-domestic violence. He was sentenced to 6½ years in prison followed by 36 months of community custody.

According to court documents, Hermann has no prior felonies.