By The Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, October 3, 2012, 7:26 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, October 3, 2012

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah inmate known for the neo-Nazi tattoos that cover his face and body pleaded guilty on Wednesday to murdering a prison guard in 2007.

Under a plea deal with prosecutors to avoid a possible death penalty, Curtis Michael Allgier, 33, agreed to a life sentence without the possibility of parole while pleading guilty to aggravated murder and other charges.

Authorities said Allgier killed Stephen Anderson, a prison guard who was shot with his own gun while escorting Allgier to a doctor's appointment on June 26, 2007.

Prosecutors approached defense attorneys with the plea deal about three weeks ago, after Anderson's family members said they didn't want the case to drag on any longer and that they would be satisfied if Allgier spent the rest of his life in prison, Salt Lake County District Attorney Robert Stott said.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 5.

Anderson, 60, of Bluffdale was a 22-year employee of the Utah Department of Corrections.

Anderson's family members were in court on Wednesday.

“We recognize that it's very merciful and forgiving of them.” Richard Gale, Allgier's attorney, said of their decision. “Some of the lesser charges, he had issues with, but ultimately he decided if they're not seeking the death penalty, he would agree.”

Allgier pleaded guilty in 3rd District Court to felony counts of disarming a officer, aggravated escape, aggravated robbery and possession of a firearm by a restricted person. He pleaded no contest to three counts of first-degree felony attempted aggravated murder.

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