James Woodhouse was attacked at a flat in Okehampton Road in November last year and left for dead.
Six days later, 33-year old Thomas Killen and Brett Edwards, who's 38, wrapped his body in a duvet and put it into a wheelie bin.
The pair blamed each other for the killing.
The prosecution at Exeter Crown Court said the former soldier, who was addicted to crack cocaine and heroin, was killed because he owed 700-pounds.
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