A Columbiana County man has been convicted of fatally beating an elderly man during a burglary at his Glenmoor home last year.

Fifty-year-old Robert Stevens of St. Clair Township appeared in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to charges of murder, burglary, and tampering with evidence.

Stevens had been scheduled to go on trial next week on those three charges, as well as felonious assault and aggravated robbery.

Investigators say Stevens beat and choked 89-year-old Charles Travis at his home on State Route 267 in March of last year. Prosecutors say Stevens took the victims wallet and left him in a pool of blood.

Travis was able to describe his attacker to detectives who say Stevens confessed to the crime.

The victim remained under medical care until his death four months after the attack.

As part of a plea bargain, Stevens is expected to be sentenced to 20 years to life when he faces the judge again in November.