CHARLESTON, West Virginia -
UPDATE
Family members of the shooting victims reacted Monday afternoon to the plea deal with mixed emotions.
"To know that he finally admitted to it," said Karen Mance, sister to sniper victim Jeannie Patton. "It's been a long nine years.
Lester agreed with prosecutors assertions that he was present for the shooting death of Patton.
Other family members left the courthouse hugging Charleston Lt. Steve Cooper, a lead investigator into the sniper case.
"You did a hell of a job," one family member whispered to Cooper in front of media.
Others would not comment on the decision.
It is unclear if Lesters' sentence, which could be up to 40 years, will run concurrent with his federal gun charges.
UPDATE
Shawn Lester has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the Kanawha Valley sniper case.
He could receive 10-40 years in prison, but prosecutors recommended a 30-year sentence.
We will bring you more information when it becomes available.
ORIGINAL STORY
The man accused of killing three people in sniper-style shootings in 2003 started with jury selection this morning.
Shawn Lester is accused of killing is accused of killing Gary Carrier, 44, Jeanie Patton, 31, and Okey Meadows, 26. Lester was arrested in early 2011 in connection with the shootings.
Final pre-trial motions in the case were filed July 24. The trial is set to take place in the Kanawha County Courthouse, rather than the Judicial Annex, where trials normally are held.
We will bring up updates when they become available.
By David Iversen -- WOWK-TV via Twitter
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