DURHAM – It appears that novelist Michael Peterson will not be retried for the 2001 murder of his second wife.
Peterson, 73, is expected to take a plea agreement in his wife Kathleen’s death according to his lawyer David Rudolf.
In a statement, Rudolf said, “We have reached an agreement with the Durham County District Attorney’s office that will resolve all charges against Michael Peterson.”
It's been more than 15 years after Peterson's wife died and more than five years after his murder conviction was overturned.
Peterson was convicted of killing his wife and sentenced to life in prison in 2003. He maintained his wife fell down the stairs, but prosecutors argued she was beaten to death.
Then, eight years later in 2011, Peterson was released when his conviction was overturned.
He was recently granted a new trial. However with this plea, Peterson will not be retried.
A hearing on the agreement will take place on Feb. 24 at 11 a.m.
Sources also say Peterson faces 64 to 88 months behind bars, but with credit for time served, he will walk.