A Central Islip man has admitted to nearly decapitating his 35-year-old neighbor, whose dead body was found hidden in the killer’s closet a week later on Christmas Eve of 2012.
Aston Barth pleaded guilty Tuesday at Suffolk County court to second-degree murder on what was scheduled to be the first day of his trial.
Prosecutors said the 34-year-old man strangled Jason Campbell during an argument in Barth’s bedroom, used an ax to partially dismember the victim’s body, wrapped the corpse in blankets and a trash bag and stuffed it in his closet.
Authorities have said that the body was in the Barth’s bedroom closet for a week before his mother and brother discovered it on Dec. 24, 2012.
Barth was arrested shortly after the discovery was made and has been held without bail since.
Barth had refused medication for a mental illness and was upset about child support payments at the time of the murder, his mother reportedly said at the time.
Judge Richard Ambro will sentence Barth on Feb. 26. Barth faces 25 years to life.
