Former UW-Madison student Adam Peterson, 20, will plead guilty to first-degree intentional homicide Monday for the murder of Madison resident Joel Marino in January.
The plea comes after Peterson's attorney, assistant public defender Dennis Burke, had previously stated that Peterson might try to be charged with a lesser crime.
It means Peterson faces a sentence of 40 years in prison, though the judge overseeing the case will set the date for possible parole.
Burke said Peterson's decision means there will be no trial.
It was his decision, he's given it a great deal of thought and it is what he wants to do,"" Burke said.
Burke said he would not discuss his talks with Peterson before this decision was reached due to attorney-client privileges.
Marino was stabbed Jan. 28 in his home at 946 West South Shore Drive, only a few blocks from campus.
Debbie Marino, Joel Marino's stepmother, said Peterson's plea was a relief, as the family were preparing themselves for a potentially emotional trial.
""This is like a blessing to me,"" she said. ""I just say 'Thank you Jesus,' we don't have to go to trial.""
She said the plea is unlikely to bring closure to her family, and that knowing her stepson was murdered is something she will never fully get over.
The decision to accept the most serious charge possible, she said, shows Peterson is taking full responsibility for the crime.
According to a transcript of a phone call between Peterson and his parents, he did not know Marino and was attempting to rob the house.
Peterson said in the transcript he ""wasn't thinking sanely"" during the robbery and that attacking someone was ""better than hurting myself."" He had been taking medication for mental illness before the incident occurred.
He attended UW-Madison in fall 2007, dropping out in October. He previously attended UW-La Crosse.
