ALFRED, Maine (AP) – The lawyer for an Old Orchard Beach man awaiting trial for killing his mother, stepfather and brother says his client will plead guilty later this month.

Twenty-two-year-old Matthew Cushing previously pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of arson. He’s accused of stabbing his mother and stepfather, Carol and Christopher Bolduc, and his 15-year-old half brother, and then setting fire to the their Old Orchard Beach home in February of last year.

Defense lawyer Joel Vincent says Cushing always took responsibility for his actions, but he says it was necessary for the process to play out. Now, he says, his client is ready to plead guilty.

Vincent says there have been discussions with prosecutors, but he says there’s no formal plea agreement. The hearing will be on Feb. 25 in York County Superior Court.

AP-ES-02-10-09 1535EST