Man testifies against his former lover

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LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 5 (UPI) -- A Louisville, Ky., man who has admitted helping his former housemate and lover bury another man's body in the basement says he did not take part in the killing.

Jeffrey Mundt, who is also charged with murder, is a key witness against Joseph Banis, The (Louisville) Courier-Journal reported. He agreed to testify for the prosecution in return for taking the death penalty off the table.

On Monday, Mundt described the killing, saying he, Banis and Joseph Carroll smoked methamphetamine in December 2009 and were in bed together when Banis attacked Carroll. Mundt said he believed at first the other two were acting out a scene.

Carroll was stabbed and shot. Mundt said he helped Banis bury the body in the basement of their home.

Mundt testified he was afraid Banis would come after him if he told anyone. But on Tuesday, Banis's lawyer, Darren Wolff, had him read text exchanges that suggested he and Banis continued to have a loving relationship.

Under cross-examination, Mundt also acknowledged that he put up $20,000 for bail when Banis was arrested in Chicago on charges of possessing guns and counterfeit money.