A 39-year-old man found guilty last month of beating and robbing an elderly Covington woman in November 2008 will spend the rest of his life behind bars after he was labeled a habitual offender Monday.

Eric Bolton, who was found guilty of attempted manslaughter, second-degree robbery and second-degree kidnapping, waived his right to a multi-bill hearing and plead guilty to being a career criminal Monday in District Judge Reginald Badeaux’s courtroom.

Rick Wood, spokesman for District Attorney Walter Reed, said Assistant District Attorney Julie Knight, who was presenting the case for the state, was not prepared Monday to present the documentation necessary to prove Bolton is a habitual offender. However, she told Badeaux that she was prepared to get the evidence necessary to prove Bolton has prior convictions for simple escape in 2004, simple kidnapping in 1996 and first-degree robbery and purse snatching in 1993.

ERIC BOLTON

Bolton’s record also shows an extensive record dating back to the early 1980s, including convictions for armed robbery and kidnapping.

Bolton said it was not necessary for Knight to get that documentation, and he acknowledged that he met the criteria necessary to be considered a habitual offender.

Bolton was arrested in November of last year after he beat and robbed an elderly Covington woman. The lady and her daughter told authorities that they had meet Bolton at a church group and were trying to help him get back on his feet and get his life straight.

As part of helping Bolton, the lady had let him stay at her home on Willow Drive in Covington while he looked for a place to live in Avoyelles Parish.

She told authorities that Bolton had came to her home late one night asking for a ride to Hammond.

When the two returned to Covington, Bolton attacked the victim, beating her badly with his fists and tied her up in her bedroom.

After taking money from the lady’s purse, Bolton fled in her vehicle.

She called authorities early the next morning to report the incident, and deputies in St. Tammany Parish and Avoyelles Parish began searching for Bolton.

He was found panhandling in an East Baton Rouge Wal-Mart.

Because of the injuries to the elderly woman, Bolton was initially charged with attempted second-degree murder.

However after deliberation, a jury returned with a guilty verdict on the lesser charge last month.