Sacramento - Theodore Kaczynski pleaded guilty last night in California to the deadly Unabomber attacks, escaping a possible death sentence but accepting life in prison without possibility of release.
"You wish to change your plea to guilty, is that correct?" Kaczynski was asked in court by federal Judge Garland Burrell, introducing a plea deal between government prosecutors and the defence. "Yes, your honour," Kaczynski replied.
Kaczynski's guilty plea covered 13 separate counts stemming from bomb attacks in California and New Jersey that killed three people. This effectively wraps up the federal case against the man who waged a 17-year terror campaign.
In a series of questions, Judge Burrell asked the 55year-old former mathematics professor if he was sure he understood the results of his plea deal, under which the government agreed to stop seeking the death penalty in return for a sentence of life behind bars without possibility of release.
Kaczynski said yes to each one before a courtroom which earlier in the day had been packed with observers waiting for opening arguments in the case.
Kaczynski also agreed to waive his right to any future appeals in the case, and to forfeit any proceeds he might get through writing or selling his story.