An Abbotsford, B.C., man changed his plea to guilty for slitting his five-year-old stepdaughter's throat with a kitchen knife on Monday in a Washington State courtroom.
Twenty-nine-year-old Peter James Wilson has been charged with first-degree murder with aggravating circumstances in the June 27 killing of Clare Louise Shelswell. He had previously pled not guilty during a court appearance in Mason County in July.
Wilson allegedly admitted to detectives that he killed the girl following a dispute with her mother, his wife Sarah Wilson, while the family was staying at a rental vacation home near Lake Cushman, Washington.
According to court documents, Wilson and his wife were arguing about disciplining the girl when he said that he would "take care of it."
Wilson then allegedly took the girl downstairs and slit her throat. Wilson's wife told investigators that after hearing screaming she ran after them and saw her daughter in a pool of blood clutching her throat.
The charge of first-degree murder with aggravating circumstances means that the judge can impose a sentence beyond the standard range of 20-26 years. Wilson also pleaded guilty to committing murder with a deadly weapon, which adds another two years to the sentence.
Prosecutor Gary Burleson said he intends to recommend an exceptional sentence in the case.
According to officials, Wilson told investigators that he suffers from bipolar disorder and is taking medication. Wilson is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 22.
