Man Faces Prison After Putting Friend's Body In Trash

CORUNNA (WWJ/AP) - A 35-year-old Michigan man who says he put his friend's body in a large trash bin after the man died of an apparent drug overdose faces up to six years in prison.

James Douglas Cummings pleaded guilty earlier this week in Shiawassee County Circuit Court to lying to a police officer in connection with the March 2013 death of  30-year-old Aaron Idle.

Although it's not completely clear what happened the day Idle died, investigators believe he overdosed on drugs. Cummings admitted in court that he placed Idle's body in a trash bin near his home in Owosso Township, about 30 miles northeast of Lansing.

When the judge asked Cummings how he knew his friend was dead, Cummings replied, "He was gray," the Lansing State Journal reported.

Idle was reported missing shortly after his death and was considered missing until June. Cummings was later arrested in August. Investigators believe Idle is buried among the trash at a Genesee County landfill, which was searched as part of the investigation, although they say his body is "unrecoverable."

Cummings, who is free on a $15,000 bond, is due back in court on March 21 for sentencing.

TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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