PORT CLINTON (AP) -- A Northwest Ohio man accused of killing his father, stepmother and stepbrother has pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated murder.
William Liske could have faced the death penalty if he had been convicted in the killings at the family's rural home just outside Toledo last October. He now faces life in prison without parole at his sentencing Sept. 9.
Liske's stepbrother found the three bodies. Official documents released in November say William Liske, Jr., 53, was shot five times in the head. His wife Susan Liske, 46, died from at least two shots to the head and one to the body. Susan's son, Derek Griffin, was beaten to death with a hammer.
Other charges were dropped in a plea agreement with prosecutors. Prosecutors and defense attorneys are under a judge's order not to comment outside court.
A judge ruled earlier this year that Liske was competent to stand trial despite a history of mental illness.
Court documents show Liske's father tried to help his son and that the younger Liske would sometimes stop taking medication for mental illness.
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWNWO