COLUMBIA CITY -ÊA Mentone man jailed in Whitley County on burglary charges pleaded guilty to several charges including attempted murder Monday in Whitley Circuit Court.

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.

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.

In court Monday, 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.

Springer faces up to 97 years in jail if he receives the maximum sentence for all the charges.

Springer will have a psychiatric evaluation at the Bowen Center before he receives his sentence later this year. [[In-content Ad]]