Sebastian Tzampop, charged with murdering a housemate at their New London apartment on Christmas Day 2013, has rejected an offer from the state to plead guilty to a reduced charge in exchange for a 15-year prison sentence.

Tzampop, 32, has been incarcerated since he allegedly admitted to city police that he beat and fatally strangled his roommate, 39-year-old Antonio Chajon.

Both men had emigrated from the same Guatamalan village and were living in an apartment at 15 Hope St.

Tzampop and Chajon had been drinking with several other roommates the previous night, according to police.

New London Superior Court prosecutor Paul J. Narducci said he extended the plea offer to Tzampop based on an assessment of how intoxicated both men were and whether that could affect the issue of Tzampop's intent to kill Chajon.

Now that Tzampop has rejected the offer, the case has been added to the trial list and is likely to go before a jury in the fall.

Speaking through a Spanish interpreter during appearances in New London Superior Court, Tzampop has told court officials several times that he wants his case resolved as soon as possible.

If convicted of murder, he faces up to 60 years in prison.

Called to the Hope Street apartment about 11 a.m. on Christmas Day 2013, police said they found Chajon on the floor of his second-floor bedroom, where it appeared a struggle had occurred, with obvious signs he had been beaten about the face and head.

The medical examiner later ruled that Chajon died of neck compression "with blunt injuries of head and trunk."

In addition, he suffered multiple rib fractures, a lacerated liver, a broken hyoid bone in his neck and broken tracheal cartilage.

Questioned by police, Tzampop, whose hands were bruised and swollen, initially said that he didn't remember what happened, according to police.

Shown photos of Chajon's injuries, he allegedly told police he felt an "evil, spiritual presence" overtake him and started beating Chajon, who was asleep in bed.

k.florin@theday.com