As expected Gary Scott Holland, the parolee accused of murdering 46-year-old Kate Horan after posing as a utility worker to gain entry to her Russian Hill home, pled guilty to murder in Superior Court today, accepting a plea deal that could net him 50 years to life in prison.

The Chronicle reports the charges of residential burglary, robbery and attempted rape were dropped in exchange for the guilty plea. Holland will be sentenced in December, when he is expected to receive 25 to life for the Horan murder and an additional 25 to life for a previous murder.

Outside the court today, Deputy Public Defender Rebecca Young called the evidence against Holland, "overwhelming" and explained her client was "hugely remorseful" for the murder. District Attorney Gascón, meanwhile, told the press, "It was senseless, it was brutal and it should have never happened. A woman full of life, who was admired by many and respected, lost her life as a result of what I will call an incredibly brutal attack by an animal that should never have been on our streets."

Previously: Accused Murderer Gary Scott Holland to Possibly Take Plea Deal
[Chron]