California man pleads not guilty by reason of insanity in torture slaying of friend
By APTuesday, June 15, 2010
California man pleads insanity in torture slaying
CRESCENT CITY, Calif. — A California man accused of torturing and killing his friend, including pulling out his heart and tearing off his face, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
The attorney for Jarrod Wyatt, of Klamath, says his client entered the plea last week in Del Norte County. The 26-year-old mixed martial arts fighter is charged with murder, aggravated mayhem and torture in the slaying of 21-year-old Taylor Powell.
Sheriff’s deputies say they found Wyatt naked and bloody on March 21. Powell’s body was on a couch next to him with an 18-inch incision in the chest and most of the face removed.
Witnesses at a preliminary hearing said Wyatt and Powell had ingested hallucinogenic mushrooms and believed they were part of a struggle between God and the devil.
