Despite having previously denied he killed his pregnant wife and the couple’s two children in August this year, Colorado father Christopher Watts has now pleaded guilty to the murders.
It comes after the accused struck a deal with prosecutors, which means the death penalty is no longer on the table. Instead, Christopher, who allegedly murdered his wife Shannan and daughters Celeste, three, and Bella, four, before dumping their bodies in oil tanks, is now facing life behind bars.
According to reports, the plea deal was approved by Shannan’s family, despite the fact that Christopher had originally claimed his wife, who was 15-weeks pregnant at the time of her death, had killed their children after he told her he was leaving her.
Earlier this week, Weld District Attorney Michael Rourke revealed that Shanann’s mother Sandra Rzucek did not want her son-in-law to be executed. He said she had said, “He made the choice to take those lives. I do not want to be in the position of choosing to take his.”
Christopher has pleaded guilty to nine counts; four counts of murder, unlawful termination of pregnancy, and three counts of tampering with a deceased body.
Sentencing is set for November 19.
