PITTSBURGH -- Former world lightweight champion Paul Spadafora, accused of trying to kill the woman who is now his fiancee, struck a deal with prosecutors and avoided a trial Monday.
The 29-year-old boxer, known as "The Pittsburgh Kid," pleaded guilty to a felony charge of aggravated assault and a weapons violation. In exchange, a charge of attempted homicide was dropped.
When Judge Jeffrey Manning asked Spadafora why he was pleading guilty, the boxer replied, "Because I did it."
Police say Spadafora shot Nadine Russo, 21, at a McKees Rocks gas station on Oct. 26, 2003. He was angry because she flattened two tires while driving his Hummer, according to police.
"This was a ridiculous drunken episode that just got way out of hand," said Spadafora's defense attorney, William Difenderfer.
Spadafora and Russo left the courtroom without commenting to Channel 4 Action News.
"We didn't even ask that he be released from jail," said Difenderfer. "He's going to stay there and take every program they have."
Sentencing is set for Feb. 14. Spadafora could face a maximum term of up to 17 years, according to Channel 4 Action News reporter Kelly Frey.
Spadafora had been under house arrest since September for a separate case in which he was charged with reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and public intoxication in Mercer County.
Last week, a judge revoked Spadafora's bond and sent him to jail for failing a drug test.
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