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Mentally ill man pleads guilty to killing sister-in-law

ELWOOD, Ind. (AP) – A central Indiana man has pleaded guilty but mentally ill to fatally beating and stabbing his 66-year-old sister-in-law.

The Herald Bulletin reported Tuesday that 68-year-old George Knotts of Elwood entered the plea in the slaying of Linda Speer of Elwood. Her daughter found the body July 8.

A probable cause affidavit says Speer had been choked with a pink scarf and stabbed 14 times with a sharp object.

Knotts’ sentencing is set for March 30 in Madison Circuit Court 3. He could face a sentence of 45 to 65 years, but prosecutors are recommending 55 years.

Elwood is about 40 miles northeast of Indianapolis.