MINDEN, Nev. (AP) - A 24-year-old man has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the February 2008 shooting death of his girlfriend's ex-husband as the victim slept in his Minden home.

James Matlean, disclosing details of the case for the first time publicly, testified that his girlfriend, Dawn Oxley, asked him to kill Ben Oxley, with whom she had a bitter custody fight.

The Record-Courier of Gardnerville reports Matlean also testified Dawn Oxley wanted him to kill Ben Oxley's wife, Melissa, who was with the victim at the time. Matlean says he fatally shot Ben Oxley, but was too scared to shoot her and fled.

He also says Dawn Oxley was with him during the shooting.

Matlean awaits sentencing sometime in March after entering the plea Tuesday in Douglas District Court.

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