Indiana inmate agrees to plead guilty in inmate's killing

ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) - An inmate at a central Indiana prison has agreed to plead guilty in the fatal stabbing of another inmate, four months after he rejected the same plea agreement.

Tommy Holland's defense attorney told a Madison County judge Monday his client was ready to accept a plea agreement in the August 2019 stabbing death of 28-year-old Clifford S. Baggett at the Pendleton Correctional Facility.

'œHe wants to resolve the case as soon as possible,'ť said defense attorney Bryan Williams.

In exchange for his guilty plea to a murder charge, the state of Indiana will seek a sentence of life without parole for Holland, 45, The Herald Bulletin reported.

The development in the Indianapolis man's criminal case came after Madison Circuit Judge Andrew Hopper on Monday found Holland competent to stand trial.

Hopper said a sentencing hearing would be set within the next two weeks after Holland signs the plea agreement.

In September, Holland - who's already serving two life sentences for murder - appeared in court, rejected the plea agreement prosecutors had offered, and then requested the death penalty.

Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings said the inmate stated that he would 'œcontinue to drop bodies until you give me the death penalty.'ť