BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Jeffrey Basil pleaded guilty Tuesday to manslaughter in the death of Air National Guardsman William Sager Junior. It comes after his murder conviction in the case was set aside in May, when the judge determined Basil didn't have a fair and unbiased jury.

Basil, 37, acknowledged his guilt in State Supreme Court, more than a year after pushing Sager down a flight of stairs at Molly's Pub. Sager died a few weeks later at the hospital. He was 28. 

"Did you intend to cause serious physical injury to Mr. Sager?" asked Hon. Penny Wolfgang, State Supreme Court Justice. 

"Yes, your honor," said Basil. 

"And did you by intending to cause serious physical injury to Mr. Sager, cause his death?" asked Wolfgang. 

"Yes, your honor," said Basil.  

Though he was charged with second degree murder, Basil accepted a plea deal for a lesser charge of first degree manslaughter. 

Both sides agreed to move forward this way instead of with a new trial, after it was revealed that a juror in Basil's January trial failed to disclose information about her background; causing the judge to overturn his murder conviction. 

"We could have tried this case again, but we would have run the risk of possibility of being convicted of murder, and if that happened, at sentencing, Jeff Basil would be looking at a possible life sentence," said Joel Daniels, Basil's defense attorney. 

Basil now faces a sentence of between 15 and 21 years in state prison. If he had been convicted by a jury, the minimum would have been 8 years. 

The District Attorney's Office said they weren't afraid to re-try the case, but the Sager family's wishes weighed heavily in their decision to negotiate with Basil.

"The Sager family was consulted and agreed with this disposition because this gives closure to them, and a guaranteed sentence which is appropriate for this crime," said Michael Flaherty, first assistant Erie County District Attorney.  

As part of the deal, Basil had to waive his right to appeal, saving Sager's family from what could have been years of uncertainty. 

Flaherty said while the DA's office is disappointed Basil's murder conviction didn't stand, he said justice was served.

"Of course you always want to have the victory which was well-earned by our trial team, but this result is not a loss," said Flaherty.  

Basil is scheduled for sentencing July 22.