After an 18-month legal process, the man accused in the stabbing death of 31-year-old Capitol Hill resident Shannon Harps has pleaded guilty to first degree murder. James A. Williams, 50, is expected to be sentenced May 28th to at least 27 years in prison for the New Year’s Eve 2007 slaying of Harps outside her home on Howell near 15th Ave.

In a statement, King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg wrote, “This is a good resolution to a tragic case which will result in, essentially, a life sentence for the defendant.”

Williams who has been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic entered a not guilty plea in October 2008 as his defense lawyer considered having her client evaluated for his fitness to stand trial. He had been held at Western State Hospital for much of the past year until this plea agreement was reached.