Jury says caretaker stole from 93-year-old

SPRINGFIELD -- A jury in Springfield has convicted the former caretaker for a 93-year-old retired pathologist of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from the woman.

The Sangamon County jury deliberated a little more than an hour Friday before finding 65-year-old Sandra Gayle of Springfield guilty of the financial exploitation of the elderly and financial exploitation of a person with a disability.

Prosecutors contended Gayle convinced the doctor that she and and her family were the only ones she could trust. They say Gayle, who had the victim's power of attorney, then siphoned more than $300,000 from the doctor's bank account.

Gayle's attorney argued that Gayle was only doing what the victim wanted her to do, and with the approval of the doctors financial adviser, attorney and accountant.