John T. Hawley (photo provided) |
A man pleaded guilty this morning to murdering an Elkhart County businessman who gave him work, according to the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office.
In October of 2011 51-year-old Ken Patel, who owned the old Goshen Inn and Conference Center building, died from multiple blunt force trauma to the head. He was beaten to death.
The old Goshen Inn had been closed for a while, but Patel was in the middle of renovating it.
John T. Hawley was living at a homeless shelter in Kokomo, where Patel owned another hotel property. In exchange for work, Patel gave his employees enough money for food and supplies. He also let them sleep at the hotel. Workers told WSBT Patel did the same for Hawley.
Hawley could face up to 65 years in prison for the crime. He was charged with murder and being a habitual criminal -- facing up to 95 years for both charges. The habitual criminal charge was dropped in exchange for Monday morning's guilty plea.
He is expected to be sentenced on February 23.
