ST. GEORGE — A Washington City man has pleaded guilty but mentally ill to charges of attempted murder, aggravated arson and animal cruelty.
William Jordan Flake, 24, entered the plea Tuesday in 5th District Court in St. George.
Washington City police were called to the home of Flake's stepfather on Feb. 18 to investigate an assault complaint. Joe Champion told officers his stepson had tried to choke him repeatedly over a 30-minute period before beating him, court documents state. Champion was bleeding heavily from a head wound, officers said, and had been dowsed with a liquid that caused his skin to burn.
Officers were directed to a back bedroom of the home where they said they found Flake naked. "As we entered the room, William began to yell, 'Shoot me, shoot me, kill me, kill me,' " officer Ryan Ericksen wrote in a probable-cause statement.
Flake picked up Champion's dog by the throat, officers said. They shouted orders at him to put the dog down and surrender and officers deployed a Taser twice. Flake let the dog go and it ran from the room as officers took the man into custody.
Flake was declared incompetent to stand trial in April, court records state. However, after spending time at the Utah State Hospital, he was restored to competency.
Flake is due to be sentenced Dec. 2. Because of his guilty but mentally ill plea, any prison time Flake receives will be served at the state hospital.
— Geoff Liesik