Worcester man pleads guilty to machete slaying

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) -- A Worcester man accused of hacking another man to death with a machete in a dispute over rent money has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

Daniel Harrigan was sentenced Thursday to life in prison with the possibility of parole on 15 years.

The 27-year-old Harrigan had been charged with first-degree murder for the January 2009 slaying of 29-year-old Kodjo Abbey, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge.

Authorities said Harrigan and Abbey lived in the same building, owned by Harrigan's mother. They said Harrigan asked for rent money and attacked after Abbey said he didn't have any.

The Telegram & Gazette reported that an autopsy showed that Abbey bled to death from multiple stab wounds and sharp force cutting and chopping injuries.

Abbey's lawyer said his client is remorseful.