Dirk Huber Pleads Guilty to Murder - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Dirk Huber Pleads Guilty to Murder

A Belfield man set for trial changes his plea to guilty.

Dirk Huber pleads guilty to the charge of murder--a class double A felony.

Due to a plea agreement, his sentence may be much lighter than the maximum penalty.

It was an emotional day at the change of plea hearing, both for Dirk Huber and members of the victim's family.

That's as Dirk Huber finally explained what led to the death of Nicole Radebaugh and apologized to family members in the audience.

 "Do you understand that you're going to be pleading guilty to a class AA felony is that correct? "Yes."

He admits to suffocating his long-time girlfriend, Nicole Radebaugh in her apartment last August.

Instead of turning himself in, Huber led authorities on a two day chase before he was found and arrested in the Badlands.

Emotions ran high as he explained to the court, what happened in his own words.

As his defense attorney explained it, Dirk Huber snapped.

Huber apologized directly to members of the victim's family.

 "The state will recommend a cap of 30 years incarceration." says Tom Henning, Stark County State's Attorney.

Prosecutor Tom Henning says a few factors led to a 30 year cap recommendation.

Number one he wanted to speed things along for the family, and he also didn't want to put family members through the trauma of a trial.

The judge ordered a pre-sentence investigation be due by January 15th.

Sentencing will be set after that.