David Ludwig Pleads Guilty; Receives 2 Consecutive Life Terms

Remember this one, kiddies? (Also here.)

I would like to think Citizen Borden's guilty pleas are a sign of maturity, but I am not going to hold my breath.

WGAL: Teen's 'Useless,' 'Selfish' Acts Destroyed Lives, Judge Says

LANCASTER, Pa. -- A Lancaster County teen pleaded guilty today to murdering his girlfriend's parents in November of 2005.

David Ludwig, 19, admitted today that he killed Michael and Cathryn Borden inside their home in Lititz on Nov. 13 following an argument over his relationship with their daughter, Kara Beth. Ludwig pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, reckless endangerment, statutory sexual assault and a firearms violation. He received two consecutive life sentences on the murder charges, plus nine and a half to 19 years on the other charges, also running consecutively.

Judge David Ashworth told Ludwig that by his "useless and selfish acts," he had "destroyed and permanently altered the lives of countless people."

Ludwig had little to say, except to acknowledge Ashworth's questions about whether he understood the proceedings.

Ludwig had previously told police he shot Michael Borden in the back of the head -- a crime witnessed by Kara's sister, Katelyn. Cathryn Borden also was shot in the head.

Ludwig initially was charged with kidnapping, but that charge was dropped after investigators concluded that Kara joined him voluntarily as the pair fled to Indiana. But police determined Kara had played no role in the shootings.

As part of the plea deal, Ludwig agreed to have no contact with the Borden family and agreed not to discuss the case publicly or profit from it.

Lancaster County District Attorney Don Totaro said the Borden family supported the plea deal. Several members of the family were in the courtroom, but they did not wish to address the judge.

Totaro had been seeking the death penalty.