Watch CBS News

Waco Man Admits Setting 1986 Fire, Killing 2 Boys

DALLAS, Texas (AP) - A Texas man has admitted to setting a backyard fire in 1986 that killed his two stepsons, ending a yearslong fight over whether faulty fire science had wrongfully put him behind bars.

In a surprising twist, Ed Graf pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of murder just as a jury in Waco was deliberating during his retrial. He was originally convicted in 1988 of setting the fire, but he was given a new trial after experts raised questions about the testimony of fire investigators at his first trial.

The Waco Tribune-Herald reports that his plea agreement calls for a sentence of 60 years in prison. Graf has served 28 years behind bars and will be eligible to apply for parole immediately.

Graf had maintained his innocence for years.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Latest News:

Top Trending:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.