The Cass County man accused of strangling his grandmother inside her mobile home in the Stoney Pike Trailer Court two years ago has admitted to committing the crime.
On Monday in Cass Superior Court II, 32-year-old Rex Kendray Groves pleaded “guilty but mentally ill” to murder, a class A felony that carries a 65-year maximum sentence. If the plea agreement negotiated between the defense and prosecution is accepted by Judge Rick Maughmer, Groves would receive a 46-year prison term followed by four years of probation.
In court, Groves admitted that on Dec. 10, 2007, he got into a disagreement with his grandmother, 84-year-old Mary Ann Gene Groves. He said the argument escalated into a physical struggle that turned deadly when he used a sharp object to stab his grandmother in the chest before strangling her.
The following day Groves surrendered to authorities and reportedly confessed to the slaying, which had not yet been reported. He has remained in the Cass County Jail without bond since his arrest.
Groves did not discuss his motive, and his public defenders, Brad Rozzi and James Knight, said they could not comment on the subject until after sentencing, which is set for 1 p.m. Dec. 21.
Groves’ change of plea came two weeks before his scheduled jury trial. In exchange for his accepting responsibility, the Cass County prosecutor’s office dropped the class D felony theft charge that resulted from allegations that Groves stole money from his grandmother’s residence.
Over the last two years, the prosecution has compiled a list of evidence against Groves, including the suspected murder weapon that had been sent off for DNA testing. Prosecutor Kevin Enyeart said he could not talk about the results before Dec. 21 in case the judge declined to accept the plea agreement.
Rozzi said after the hearing that if Groves is convicted, he would undergo a detailed psychiatric evaluation to determine where he should be placed to be treated for his mental illness.
Before making his decision on the proposed sentence, Maughmer will review a pre-sentence investigation report that details Groves’ criminal past and other information, such as mental health history.
In Indiana, murder carries a sentence of 45 to 65 years and a possible fine of up to $10,000. At sentencing, Groves would receive credit for the more than two years he has spent in jail awaiting trial. With good behavior, he could be out of prison in about 20 years.
• Kevin Lilly is news editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at 574-732-5117 or kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Provided
Discussion
Groves admits slaying
Plea deal calls for 46-year sentence.
- Local News
-
-
Principal: Lewis Cass student attacked with piece of wood
A Lewis Cass Junior-Senior High School freshman remained hospitalized Friday after being attacked by a classmate with a piece of wood, the school’s principal said.
-
Dancing with dad: 185 fathers and daughters take to dance floor
Robert Kesling remembers eight years ago when he swooped his daughter Anna off her feet and swayed on the dance floor with the young lady that makes his heart melt.
-
Woman suing Cass Area Transit
A woman is suing Cass Area Transit and one of its employees for “erratic” driving she says left her with a broken arm.
-
Delays in cases of clerk-treasurer, man accused of attempted murder
The defendants in two notable court cases had hearings Thursday, but issues in both required them to be pushed back two months.
-
Former police chief to run for coroner
Former Logansport Police Chief Randy Rozzi filed to run for Cass County coroner Thursday as a Democrat.
- Daddy/Daughter Valentine Dance
-
Victory worth celebrating: United Way raises more than $600,000 for area organizations
Joe Johnson stood at the front of the room where a “small army” of community leaders had just been recognized for their work in raising more than $600,000 for United Way of Cass County. “Woah,” said the incoming campaign chairman. “This is scary.”
-
Accused rapist charged with felony in Arizona
A Logansport man out on bail on multiple sex-related charges was arrested last week in Arizona after police say he tried to attack his dad with a pair of kitchen knives.
-
Jurors: Galveston man not guilty of molest
A jury took only an hour Wednesday to decide that a Galveston man was not guilty of molesting a 9-year-old girl a decade ago.
-
Sen. Head to run for re-election
State Sen. Randy Head announced Wednesday he will seek re-election.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Principal: Lewis Cass student attacked with piece of wood
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Maine GOP Chairman Says Romney Wins Caucuses
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
