Prosecutor: Ohioan killed 4 on cocaine binge, seeking money

BUCYRUS, Ohio (AP) — A man on a cocaine binge fatally beat or strangled four others at their homes — in one case, using his own shoestrings — then walked into the police station to confess after recognizing one victim's relatives in a newspaper photo, a prosecutor said today after the defendant was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Donald Hoffman apparently was high and looking to steal money for more drugs when he killed the men last fall in the small, north-central Ohio city of Bucyrus, Crawford County Prosecutor Matthew Crall said. Hoffman used whatever means were available, stomping on one man's throat and striking another with a bottle, Crall said.

Hoffman, 41, pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated murder in a deal with prosecutors on today, days before he was scheduled for trial in the potential death-penalty case. In exchange, they dropped remaining charges.

Hoffman wore an orange prison outfit and kept his hands folded in his lap, showing no emotion beyond his perpetual frown. He admitted killing the men and told the judge he made the plea deal partly to spare the community a trial, but he declined an opportunity to further address the court.