COLUMBIA CITY -ÊA Mentone man who pleaded guilty to attempted murder in Whitley Circuit Court in March will spend 88 years in prison.

On March 22, William T. Springer, 26, of Mentone, admitted to severely beating his cell mate, Justin Baden, and trying to kill him in the Whitley County Jail Jan. 6.

Tuesday, Whitley Circuit Judge James R. Heuer handed down an 88-year prison sentence -Ê50 years for the attempted murder and 36 years for a set of charges including burglary, attempted burglary, theft and criminal mischief related to a Nov. 2 incident. Springer violated his probation in another burglary case, and the judge also ordered him to serve the final two years of that sentence.

On Jan. 6, Springer kicked, punched and choked Baden before attempting to stab him with a pen and twist his neck until it broke.

During the attack, Springer stopped to drink a beverage and told his cell mate he would continue the assault when the drink was finished.

When he was in court to enter the guilty plea, Springer told Whitley County Prosecuting Attorney Matt Rentschler his intent was to kill Baden. During the same hearing, Springer pleaded guilty to attempted burglary and burglary, both Class B felonies; theft, a Class D felony; criminal mischief, a Class B misdemeanor; and being a habitual felony offender.

Before the attack, Springer was held in the Whitley County Jail on charges related to a set of Nov. 2 incidents. Springer broke into the Main Bowl on Main Street in Columbia City and stole cash before damaging a recreational vehicle parked at the business.

The same day, Springer attempted to get into a house by throwing a brick through the window. [[In-content Ad]]