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Guilty Plea In Gruesome Hallucinogenic Fueled Crescent City Murder

CRESCENT CITY (CBS/AP) -- A Northern California mixed-martial artist accused of ripping out his friend's heart and removing his tongue and skin while he was still alive has pleaded guilty to murder and mayhem charges.

Del Norte County prosecutors say 27-year-old Jarrod Wyatt agreed Thursday night to a plea deal in which he agreed to serve 50 years to life in prison.

The Eureka Times-Standard (http://bit.ly/SqGjjR ) reports the agreement was reached four days before his trial was set to begin in Crescent City.

Officials say Wyatt pleaded guilty to first-degree murder involving mayhem for the death of 21-year-old Taylor Powell in March 2010.

Authorities say Wyatt has acknowledged that he had killed Powell and cut out his friend's tongue and heart. Witnesses say the two had ingested hallucinogenic mushrooms before the attack.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

 

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