Cody Dion-Michael Parlato (Jail photo)

COPPERAS COVE (November 19, 2012)--A Copperas Cove teenager pleaded guilty Monday in Gatesville's 52nd District Court to the July 11 slashing death of a Copperas Cove man.

Judge Trent Farrell sentenced Cody Dion-Michael Parlato, 19, to life in prison for the slashing death Darien P. Brodeur, 42, also of Copperas Cove, who was found just before 4 a.m. on July 11 in an apartment at the Five Hills Apartments at 2015 East Highway 190 after police responded to a report of a possible death.

Parlato was indicted on Sept. 28 and has been held in the Coryell County Jail in lieu of $1 million bond.

Brodeur was found lying on the floor inside of the apartment with a severe laceration on the front of his neck, police said.

Witnesses told detectives Brodeur's neck was slashed during an early morning fight with another man, after which the attacker fled.