LEWISTON, Idaho -- The man accused of killing his ex-wife, daughter and trying to kill his grandson pleaded guilty to murder in a Nez Perce County courtroom Tuesday.
Richard Carlin, 74, faces two counts of first degree murder and one charge of attempted murder. Police said Carlin beat and possibly strangled his ex-wife, Raetta, and their daughter, Michelle, on the morning of November 21. They said he also stabbed his grandson.
Judge Jeff Brudie asked as part of Carlin's plea change appearance, "Why are you pleading guilty?"
Carlin replied, "Because I'm guilty."
"You did what the information in those three charges accuses you of doing?" Judge Brudie asked him again.
"Yes. Yes, Your Honor," Carlin quietly responded with a nod.
Carlin elected to waive his right to a pre-sentence investigation, but the judge said he will take a look at the one done in 2003 when Carlin was sentenced for sexual abuse of a minor.
He served nine years of a 10-year sentence for that crime. He was released in 2013.
Carlin will appear in court again on August 3 for a status hearing. Then, the judge will decide if another pre-sentence investigation is needed before sentencing.
