AMERICAN FORK, Utah (AP) - An Orem man accused of beating his 79-year-old stepfather to death in June has pleaded guilty to reduced charges.
Thirty-four-year-old Strider Logan Diem had originally faced charges of murder, manslaughter, assault, criminal mischief and aggravated abuse of an elder adult in the death of Melvin Rowley.
But he pleaded guilty Tuesday to homicide by assault and aggravated abused of a vulnerable adult on Tuesday. He faces up to five years in prison at sentencing Feb. 25.
Police say that Diem became upset June 26 when his mother poured out his bottle of whiskey down the bathroom sink.
That led to a fight in which Diem reportedly climbed on top of his stepfather and punched him multiple times while his mother tried to stop the attack.
Rowley later died.
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