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The man who made noises "like a zombie" after he attacked a Kearns man last year pleaded guilty to murder Thursday.
Gerardo Enrique Perez, 20, was charged with attempted murder for the Jan. 28, 2015, assault on Leslie Beus at the 68-year-old's home near 5600 West and 4835 South. Prosecutors amended the charge to murder, a first-degree felony, when Beus died from the injuries after a weeklong coma.
Perez also was charged with aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony; obstructing justice, a second-degree felony; three counts of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony; and a class B misdemeanor count of interference with an arresting officer.
In a change-of-plea hearing Thursday, Perez pleaded guilty to the charges of murder, aggravated burglary and aggravated assault. The rest were dismissed under a plea deal. When he's sentenced on Dec. 13, Perez faces up to life in prison.
Perez apparently attacked Beus with a hammer and knife in the latter's front yard. Beus tried to escape by entering his home, charging documents state, but Perez followed him inside and continued to hit him.
Police later located Perez near 5600 West and 4500 South, where he told officers that he wiped blood from the weapons to avoid detection. He was "acting strangely," witnesses say, and "making noises like a zombie" while walking down the street.
Beus was put on life support after suffering numerous cuts to his head and arms, as well as several skull fractures. He died on Feb. 4, 2015.
ctanner@sltrib.com Twitter: @CourtneyLTanner