Christian Francis Taele, 30, of Lake Shore registered his guilty plea two years after being charged in the killing of Tyler Belinti.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, an eyewitness saw Taele approach a man, later identified as Belinti, outside of a 24th Street apartment complex on July 9, 2022. He then proceeded to strangle Belinti with a strap or rope before kicking him numerous times.

Taele later dragged Belinti into the building and into the apartment gym where he hung him from a weight machine, per the document. He was subsequently arrested on the scene. Belinti died three days later.

The crime occurred one day after Taele had beaten and stabbed Ryan Hooley and left him for dead in Spanish Fork, court documents state.

The former prep football star later told authorities that “a higher power” had commanded him to “purge” the community, as reported previously by the Standard-Examiner.

He was declared mentally competent to stand trial in both jurisdictions in October 2022.

As part of a plea deal in the Ogden case, charges were reduced from one count of aggravated murder to first-degree murder, the latter of which is punishable by 15 years to life imprisonment.

Possible sentences for an aggravated murder conviction in the state of Utah include 20 years to life in prison, life in prison without parole or the death penalty.

In addition to the reduced charge, the deal calls for sentences in Weber and Utah counties to be served concurrently. Taele pleaded guilty to the Hooley murder earlier this month, as reported last week by the Daily Herald.

During Tuesday’s hearing in Ogden, prosecutors stated that any future move by Taele to change his plea would nullify the plea agreement. His Utah County sentencing hearing is slated for Aug. 30. He will be back in the 2nd District Court for sentencing on Sept. 20.