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A Nappanee murder suspect told the court Thursday that he deserved to die for killing his estranged girlfriend.
Tony DeBatty, 40, tried to refuse to accept a judge's order for an innocent plea in the case of murdering Elizabeth Hershberger.
"No, I don't need a lawyer," DeBatty told Elkhart County Circuit Court Senior Judge Donald Jones. "Yes, I did it. I am guilty of this. I believe I should be put to death."
DeBatty was arrested Wednesday morning at the Newmar manufacturing plant in Nappanee where Hershberger worked after Hershberger was stabbed to death in front of her co-workers.
"I killed her. I don't want to cost the taxpayers any money by a not-guilty plea," DeBatty told the court when Jones read the charging information.
Jones entered an innocent plea on DeBatty's behalf in accordance with state law. The plea becomes official in 20 days. After that time, DeBatty can change the plea.
DeBatty is accused of stabbing Hershberger several times in the chest with a fishing knife Wednesday morning while she was at work.
Employees said DeBatty entered the plant, asked where Hershberger was working, then began an argument with her and started stabbing her.
Witnesses reported that DeBatty then sat down and waited until Nappanee police arrived and arrested him.
At Thursday's hearing, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Terry Shewmaker said DeBatty confessed to police about the murder.
Initial hearings typically last only a few minutes while prosecutors read charging criminal information. Defendents are read their rights and a future date is set for the case.
However, DeBatty continually interrupted the judge during his hearing as DeBatty repeated his statements of his guilt. He appeared to be frustrated with the judge's attempts to help his defense.
"This is all hogwash. I don't want any lawyer, a trial. I killed her, why don't you cut out all the (expletive)?" he asked the court.
Jones refused to allow DeBatty to plead guilty. DeBatty was appointed an Elkhart County public defender. The attorney will determine whether certain defenses are merited, such as insanity, the judge said.
The judge told DeBatty he's seen several defendants change their minds after initially saying they were guilty. DeBatty told Jones he was not insane when he went to see Hershberger Wednesday. "I'm competent. I wasn't thinking right," he said.
Police have not said what the motive was in the stabbing. DeBatty is the father of Hershberger's 2-year-old daughter.
DeBatty had no prior record regarding domestic abuse or battery.
If convicted in the murder, DeBatty could face 45 to 65 years in prison. Authorities are researching if the death sentence could be applied to the case. The indictment indicates the death penalty cannot be applied. A Nappanee murder suspect told the court Thursday that he deserved to die for killing his estranged girlfriend.
Tony DeBatty, 40, tried to refuse to accept a judge's order for an innocent plea in the case of murdering Elizabeth Hershberger.
"No, I don't need a lawyer," DeBatty told Elkhart County Circuit Court Senior Judge Donald Jones. "Yes, I did it. I am guilty of this. I believe I should be put to death."
DeBatty was arrested Wednesday morning at the Newmar manufacturing plant in Nappanee where Hershberger worked after Hershberger was stabbed to death in front of her co-workers.
"I killed her. I don't want to cost the taxpayers any money by a not-guilty plea," DeBatty told the court when Jones read the charging information.
Jones entered an innocent plea on DeBatty's behalf in accordance with state law. The plea becomes official in 20 days. After that time, DeBatty can change the plea.
DeBatty is accused of stabbing Hershberger several times in the chest with a fishing knife Wednesday morning while she was at work.
Employees said DeBatty entered the plant, asked where Hershberger was working, then began an argument with her and started stabbing her.
Witnesses reported that DeBatty then sat down and waited until Nappanee police arrived and arrested him.
At Thursday's hearing, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Terry Shewmaker said DeBatty confessed to police about the murder.
Initial hearings typically last only a few minutes while prosecutors read charging criminal information. Defendents are read their rights and a future date is set for the case.
However, DeBatty continually interrupted the judge during his hearing as DeBatty repeated his statements of his guilt. He appeared to be frustrated with the judge's attempts to help his defense.
"This is all hogwash. I don't want any lawyer, a trial. I killed her, why don't you cut out all the (expletive)?" he asked the court.
Jones refused to allow DeBatty to plead guilty. DeBatty was appointed an Elkhart County public defender. The attorney will determine whether certain defenses are merited, such as insanity, the judge said.
The judge told DeBatty he's seen several defendants change their minds after initially saying they were guilty. DeBatty told Jones he was not insane when he went to see Hershberger Wednesday. "I'm competent. I wasn't thinking right," he said.
Police have not said what the motive was in the stabbing. DeBatty is the father of Hershberger's 2-year-old daughter.
DeBatty had no prior record regarding domestic abuse or battery.
If convicted in the murder, DeBatty could face 45 to 65 years in prison. Authorities are researching if the death sentence could be applied to the case. The indictment indicates the death penalty cannot be applied.
