Catawba County man pleads guilty in killing and mutilation

The 19-year-old man accused of killing his Catawba County roommate and mutilating his body with an ax will spend up to 20 years in prison.

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After receiving a chilling 911 call detailing the killing, officers arrived at Starr's home, south of Hickory, where they found his body. An autopsy later revealed that he'd been stabbed 17 times, but his cause of death was listed as multiple gunshot wounds. The word "JOKER" had been carved onto his chest and abdomen, and his left ear had been cut off and one arm was nearly severed.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/02/24/3039841/catawba-county-man-pleads-guilty.html