Mark Latunski: Cannibal pleads guilty to mutilating and eating Kevin Bacon despite lawyer's insanity claims
Trigger warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion is advised.
CORUNNA, MICHIGAN: Mark David Latunski, 52, accused of killing and eating a college student named Kevin Bacon, 25, whom he met on a dating app, pleaded guilty to his crimes after his own counsel made claims of insanity. Bacon's body was discovered in Latunski's basement in December 2019, only four days after his friends and family had seen him alive right before Christmas eve. Latunski has now pleaded guilty to killing and mutilating Bacon at his home in Bennington Township.
Latunski pleaded guilty to the charges of open murder and mutilation of a body on Thursday, September 22, in front of Judge Matthew J Stewart of the 35th Circuit Court, as reported by MLive. Open murder includes first and second-degree murder. The prosecutor asked, "Did you use a knife to stab Mr Bacon? Did you know that stabbing Mr Bacon with a knife would most certainly create a very high risk of death or great bodily harm to Mr Bacon?" The self-proclaimed cannibal replied, "Yes I did." The prosecutor continued asking, "After Mr Bacon was dead, did you remove part of his body, specifically his testicles? Did you move those testicles to the kitchen?" Latunski replies, "Yes I did."
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Latunski of Swartz Creek met Bacon on 'Grindr', a dating app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people. Latunski took Bacon by surprise by attacking him from behind. After that, his body was hung from his ankles, his throat cut, and parts of him were eaten, as reported by the local news outlet. Bacon was a hairdresser. If convicted, Latunski can face a life sentence.
Latunski pleads guilty after claims of insanity
Latunski’s attorney Mary Chartier had previously contested that her client has a history of mental illness. The confession come against Chartier's plan to use an insanity defense during the trial. However, he was deemed fit for trial in 2020 after he went through months of psychiatric care at a hospital in Michigan as per ABC12. Chartier said in court, "While this is not an outcome that (defense attorney) Mr Krause and I think is in Mr Latunski's best interest, we do have to follow Mr Latunski's wishes. We have discussed this matter and consistently he's been very clear, more than once, multiple times, on his choice and on his reasoning."
Shiawassee County Prosecutor Scott Koerner told ABC12, "It's still a sad day. But, it's a long time coming and I am hoping it brings closure and justice for the family." Kevin's father, Karl Bacon, reflected on how the Christmas holidays bring back the horror saying, "We haven't celebrated it since."
The Bacon family was present in the court to hear Latunski's confession which has now resulted in a much shorter trial. Another hearing scheduled for October 18, 2022, will determine whether Latunski is convicted of first- or second-degree murder, or manslaughter.