One of two brothers sentenced to death in Contra Costa County in 2005 for slaughtering five people in a bizarre murder-extortion plot designed to hasten Christ’s return to Earth has been hospitalized after apparently trying to commit suicide.

The man’s brother has enlisted him and a roommate in a cult-like plot to train Brazilian orphans to slaughter the leaders of the Mormon Church so he could become its prophet and “transform America.”

Two brothers responsible for a gruesome spate of slayings in West Marin were officially sentenced to death on Friday by a superior court judge in Contra Costa County.

But despite the death sentences, which were welcomed by many of those close to the victims, it may be years before the convicted killers are executed.

Saw similar to that used in murders activated in court

Former spouse says execution would 'devastate' daughters

Motivational courses harmed pair, they say

Glenn Taylor Helzer returned from his Mormon mission in Brazil in the early 1990s a changed man, interpreting Scripture with a belief system that differed from traditional church doctrine, defense witnesses said Monday in the penalty trial of the confessed quintuple killer.

Attorney probes history of mental illness in family of confessed murderer

MARTINEZ - Jurors in the penalty trial of Glenn Taylor Helzer heard two witnesses once close to Helzer describe how he masterminded an extortion plot and five murders in the summer of 2000.

MARTINEZ – A jury recommended the death penalty Tuesday for Justin Helzer in the deaths of the daughter of blues guitarist Elvin Bishop and an elderly couple as part of a bizarre crime spree four years ago.

MARTINEZ – The jury that found Justin Helzer guilty of murdering five people, then decided he was sane when he did it, now must decide whether he should die for his crimes.

MARTINEZ - Justin Helzer might have been a gentle soul who enjoyed little things like mountain hikes and playing with his nieces.

Loved ones relate how person on trial now is not the same one they knew

MARTINEZ, Calif. There's been a strange development in another high-profile trial underway in the Bay Area.

Younger Helzer ruled sane; hearing on penalty is next

Justin Helzer was legally sane in the summer of 2000 when he murdered five people and dismembered three of them, a Contra Costa County Superior Court jury in Martinez found this afternoon.