A man accused of killing three people and wounding another during a shooting rampage in Valley City will plead guilty this week to murder charges, his attorney says.

Daniel Jantzen's pleas will come at a court hearing Wednesday, said his attorney, Russell Myhre, of Enderlin.

"We're hopeful that's what happens," Barnes County prosecutor Robin Huseby said. "We'll be asking the judge to order a presentence investigation. That normally takes six to eight weeks."

Jantzen is charged with shooting Sharon Hatcher, 42; Hatcher's daughter, April, 16, and Michael Barnett Jr., 21, all of Valley City. He also is charged with attempted murder in the wounding of Paul Buchholz, 41, of Oriska, who authorities said was attempting to flee the Hatchers' home when he was shot.

The shootings happened last April 15 at a Valley City mobile home park.

Wednesday's hearing before Judge John T. Paulson initially was scheduled to consider pretrial motions, including Huseby's request that the judge consider whether Jantzen could afford his own legal costs. Myhre was appointed to represent Jantzen at public expense.

Myhre said Jantzen will plead guilty to three felony murder charges, and another felony charge of attempted murder. He said he will request a presentence investigation of Jantzen.

The felony murder charges alone carry a maximum penalty of life in prison, without the possibility of parole. The attempted murder charge has a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Myhre said Jantzen had no plea agreement with Huseby, and no agreement on a recommended prison term. Huseby said attorneys would make sentencing recommendations.

"There's no plea agreement," she said.

Jantzen's trial was to begin Jan. 12 in Mandan. He had been contesting the charges against him, and had undergone two separate psychological evaluations to determine his competency to stand trial.

Huseby said she had thought Jantzen might change his plea.

Jantzen, known by the nickname "Scrubby," is a former Valley City bar owner and longtime area resident, sportsman and gun collector. He fled after the shootings and was arrested 21/2 days later at a farm near Karnak, about 25 miles northwest of Valley City.