Man Pleads Guilty to 2012 Austin Sword Slaying

A man described by a psychiatrist as delusional has pleaded guilty to murder in a 2012 sword slaying in Central Texas.

A judge in Austin will decide whether 37-year-old Thomas Brock must serve up to life in prison for the killing of Luis Hernandez Vigil. The 57-year-old victim was fatally stabbed outside an Austin pawn shop.

The Austin American-Statesman reports Brock on Wednesday pleaded guilty and said he hears voices in his head. Brock spent time hospitalized before last June being ruled competent to stand trial for the apparent random killing.

Psychiatrist Maureen Burrows on Wednesday testified Brock has long experienced hallucinations, delusions and paranoia due to multiple personality and mood disorders.

Burrows also says Brock had a pattern of conning people and not taking his medications.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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