SHERIDAN, Wyo. - A change of plea hearing was held Tuesday in Fourth Judicial District Court in Sheridan for 55-year-old Dana Beartusk.
Beartusk was charged with three counts of first degree murder last year for killing three family members in Big Horn during the evening hours of Sunday, March 29.
Beartusk fled the crime scene in a vehicle and called his brother to confess what he'd done before heading north to Montana.
Beartusk was arrested soon after and charged with the crimes.
In May, three firearms that belonged to Beartusk were found alongside a road near Kirby, Montana.
At Tuesday's hearing, Beartusk pleaded guilty to three amended counts of second degree murder, reports Sheridan Media.
Amending the three charges from first degree to second degree murder was part of a plea agreement reached with the State.
Sheridan County Attorney Dianna Bennett said there is no sentence recommendation from the State as part of the plea deal, and the length of Beartusk's sentence will be argued at sentencing.
Beartusk, during the hearing, said at the time he was highly intoxicated when he shot and killed his wife, Angelina Beartusk, sister Seana Fisher, and nephew Mochdaveyano "Blackhawk" Fisher.
District Court Judge John Fenn ordered that a presentence investigation be completed and scheduled the sentencing for April 13 at 9 a.m.
Judge Fenn said the entire morning would be blocked out for the hearing, as the sentencing could take up to four hours or longer.
Each count of second degree murder is punishable by a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of life in prison.
