DETROIT — A jury decided Friday that James Flemons is guilty of second-degree murder but mentally ill for slashing his co-worker to death with a homemade samurai sword in October 2004.

The panel of seven men and five women deliberated for 18 hours to reject Flemons' argument that he was insane and shouldn't be held criminally responsible for murdering 43-year-old Anthony Williams. (VIDEO)

Under Michigan sentencing guidelines, Flemons will be sentenced to a minimum of 18 to 39 years in the psychiatric ward of a state prison.

Judge Annette Berry also has the power to sentence him to a maximum of life in prison at his sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for Dec. 1.

As the jury foreman read the verdict, Flemons sat emotionless with his hands at his sides staring at the jury.

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His attorney, David Roby, said after the verdict, Flemons asked him, "Will I still get my medication?"

"He's confused," Roby said. "He doesn't understand what this sentence means because this guy is psychotic."

The defense attorney had argued that Flemons suffered from schizophrenia and believed he was a ninja attacking a foe when he attacked Williams with a 38-inch sword at the Peerless Metal Powders & Abrasives plant where the two men worked.

Roby said Flemons was obsessed with the occult and the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, and was unable to separate fantasy from reality because of his mental illness.

Deputy Prosecutor Kam Towns said although she sought a first-degree murder conviction for Flemons, she said she was satisfied that the "jury really worked hard on the case and issued a fair and just verdict."

"The issue of mental illness and legal insanity are difficult to grapple with," Towns said. "The family is glad the trial is over given the unbelievable brutality of Mr. Flemons' actions."

The jurors' struggle to agree on the severity of Flemons' mental illness was demonstrated by a note they sent to the judge asking for a clarification of state law as it pertains to temporary insanity.

Judge Berry told the jury that under Michigan law, it "doesn't matter if he was insane for two minutes or 10 years. It depends on whether he was insane at the time he committed the crime."

Video of the verdict is available at Court TV Extra.