US: Grandson 'Stabbed Grandma 111 Times'

A Utah man accused of stabbing his grandmother 111 times has told police he removed several of her internal organs, prosecutors said.

Police were called to 84-year-old Joyce Dexter's home in Salt Lake City on October 3 by neighbours who reported hearing screams.

Officers found Zachary Weston standing over her body with a bloody knife in his hand, court documents said.

Weston also had blood on his clothing and later told investigators he had cut his grandmother's jugular, it was claimed.

The 21-year-old is charged with aggravated murder, meaning he could face the death penalty if convicted.

Family members told The Salt Lake Tribune that Weston suffers from mental illness and that he was arrested in 2010 for pushing his mother and striking a police officer.

"Joyce was a martyr by any definition," said Weston's uncle, Charles Kulander.

"If anybody was closer and loved Zach more than her, I don't know how. She was always there for him. The rest of us had just had it up to here, but Honey always kept her door open."

Weston pleaded guilty to one of two assault charges and was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and complete any recommended treatment.

But he was charged in August this year with two counts of assault and interfering with a police officer during an arrest for slapping one hospital employee and punching another in the face.

He was also charged with assault for hitting his father in September.