Patrick Jason Stollar will die by lethal injection for the 2003 slaying of Jean Heck, an elderly Upper St. Clair woman.

The verdict, rendered Feb. 22 by a jury, was announced today by Common Pleas Judge David R. Cashman.

He also sentenced Mr. Stollar, 29, to two consecutive terms of 10 to 20 years in prison for convictions on charges of robbery and burglary.

The sentences come in the wake of a trial in which Mr. Stollar acted as his own defense attorney with the assistance and monitoring of two court appointed lawyers.

Mr. Stollar broke into Mrs. Heck's Upper St. Clair residence where he beat and strangled her to death.

A jury convicted him of first-degree murder, robbery, burglary and other offenses, including theft and forging two checks he stole from his 78-year-old victim.

Deputy District Attorney Mark V. Tranquilli said the case has spurred lawmakers to consider a bill that would increase penalties against convicts for victimizing the elderly.

Mrs. Heck's family said they are relieved the case is over, and that, with the proposed sentencing amendment, that she did not die in vain.