Guilty plea in 2009 residence hall slaying at Sacramento State University

From The Sacramento Bee: Quran Mahammed Jones, a Sacramento State University student accused of beating residence hall roommate Scott Gregory Hawkins to death with a baseball bat three years ago, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. A judge has found that Jones was insane at the time he killed fellow student Scott Gregory Hawkins; Jones will be sent to Napa State Hospital and will be eligible for hearings on his sanity every year. If he is ever found to recover his sanity, he would be sent to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for a term of 18 years and four months.

Also: Plea enables victim's family to avoid painful trial.