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Man accused of killing mom tells judge he’s guilty

Steven Pratt weeps in court while answering questions from Superior Court Judge Michael Donio, Tuesday Oct. 14, 2014, in Mays Landing, N.J. Just two days after Pratt, a convicted murderer, was released from prison after serving a 30-year-term, he was arrested Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014 and charged in the beating death of his 64-year-old mother, authorities said. (AP Photo/The Press of Atlantic City, Michael Ein)
Steven Pratt weeps in court while answering questions from Superior Court Judge Michael Donio, Tuesday Oct. 14, 2014, in Mays Landing, N.J. Just two days after Pratt, a convicted murderer, was released from prison after serving a 30-year-term, he was arrested Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014 and charged in the beating death of his 64-year-old mother, authorities said. (AP Photo/The Press of Atlantic City, Michael Ein)

By Associated Press 2 min read

MAYS LANDING, N.J. (AP) – A convicted murderer who police say killed his mother two days after being released from prison told a judge that he’s guilty and doesn’t want a trial.

Steven Pratt, 45, told a judge through tears on Tuesday that he doesn’t have a lawyer, before he was taken back to jail on $1 million bail.

Judge Michael A. Donio told Pratt not to speak without an attorney, but he spoke anyway.

“I don’t want a trial,” he said. “I’m guilty.”

Gwendolyn Pratt was found dead Sunday at a home in Atlantic City. Atlantic County prosecutor Jim McClain says that an autopsy determined that she died from massive blunt injuries to the head.