Corey LaValley, 33, the man accused in the shooting deaths of his girlfriend and two children almost a year ago pleaded no contest Thursday in Allegan County Circuit Court.

LaValley was charged with three counts of second degree murder after being accused of shooting Debra Sheppard, 33, Emma McComber, 12, and Corey LaValley Jr., 10, before setting their Dorr Township mobile home on fire. He agreed to a minimum sentence of 55 years and maximum of 82 years in prison.

Allegan County Assistant Prosecutor Rob Kengis indicated the family wanted to resolve the matter before trial.

A plea of co contest is not an admission of guilt, but is treated as such for sentencing purposes. LaValley told Circuit Judge Margaret Bakker he has no memory of the March 10 homicides and setting the fires.

Police believe an important precipitating factor in the crimes was that Sheppard had told LaValley his was not the father of Cory Jr.

Autopsies proved all three victims had been shot in the head and they were found on beds in the Briarwood Street mobile home. Authorities also said there was evidence of gasoline on the carpet.

The two children were students at Hopkins schools.