(AP) - A former Norfolk police officer will spend the rest of his life in prison for murdering his estranged wife and her new boyfriend.

Forty-eight-year-old John "Jack" Howie pleaded guilty Thursday in a York County court. He was scheduled to stand trial February 3rd on capital murder charges. His attorney says Howie accepted a plea agreement to spare the victims' friends and family going through the trial, and to be spared from the death penalty.

Under the terms of the agreement, Howie will never be eligible for parole. Howie shot and killed 39-year-old Terri Howie and 29-year-old Christopher Hawley inside Terri Howie's Poquoson home in June of 2001.

Terri Howie's two young daughters and a 16-year old babysitter listened from another room in the family's home during the murder.

Howie said in court yesterday that he was "sickened and shamed" by his crime and didn't blame anyone else.

He also told the court that he will always love his wife.

That guy has some problems.

lulu

He sure does.

The pressures of life and his marriage break up got to him and he lost it. We all walk that line. That's why we all need friendship and support.