James Earl Eackles pleaded guilty Wednesday for beating his longtime girlfriend to death earlier this year.

Eackles, 46 pleaded guilty in Buchanan County Court to felony second degree murder.

As we previously reported, in February officers with the St. Joseph Police Department responded to the 2200 block of S. 15th St. to find Carol Cunningham, 40 dead in the home

The probable cause statement said Eackles admitted to striking his girlfriend several times. Officers found her with significant injuries to her face and body which resulted in her death. Eackles and the victim have lived together for several years.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 29 at 3 p.m.