By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – A man from Normal has pleaded guilty to killing a Bloomington man who authorities say suffered more than 72 stab wounds. The man died, according to investigators, after being robbed of money he won just hours earlier on a video gaming machine at a Downtown Bloomington bar.

McLean County prosecutors say they’ll cap their sentencing recommendation for Larry Knell, 44, to spend 50 years in prison for his guilty plea to first-degree murder for fatally stabbing Dale Baughman.

The body of the 59-year old man was found during the early morning hours of April 9 near the intersection of North Oak and West Seminary Streets.

According to a factual basis statement presented to the judge, Knell was at the bar with a friend, and was aware that Baughman won about $500 on the gambling machine.

His friend told police she initially thought Knell was joking when he said was going to rob Baughman of his winnings. However, a $20 bill the woman turned over to police appeared to be covered in blood, and she told authorities she got rid of the knife, at Knell’s direction, in the lake at White Oak Park. A scuba team recovered the weapon, and police said they found bloody clothing in Knell’s apartment.

Knell’s sentencing is scheduled for November 2.

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