San Diego

A San Carlos man pleaded guilty Wednesday to soliciting the murders of his wife’s wealthy parents and her sister.

John Christopher Williams, 34, admitted to San Diego Municipal Court Judge Wayne Peterson that he offered to pay a hit man, who turned out to be an undercover police officer, from the proceeds of a burglary at the victims’ home.

Williams also pleaded guilty to the Jan. 12, 1985, burglary of jewelry worth more than $25,000 from the home of Melvin and Corrine Moss of Coronado.

Sentencing was set for Sept. 23. Williams could face nine years in state prison. The judge told him he is “presumptively ineligible for probation.”

Melvin Moss, 66, attended the hearing but would not comment on the case.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Dan Williams, who is not related to the defendant, said the value of the jewelry was more than $100,000. He said the defendant discussed the murder plot with a co-worker while both were painting a property owned by Moss.

The prosecutor said the co-worker alerted Moss about the plan and Moss called police, who arrested Williams on May 21.

Prosecutor Williams said the defendant’s wife, Ellen, described him as “an extremely violent person” who had beaten her. Her sister was identified as Rosemary Moss, 34.

In court, Williams said: “I solicited the murders of Mr. and Mrs. Moss and their daughter.”

“Did you offer to pay (the hit man) for that?” Peterson asked.

“Yes,” Williams replied.

Williams is being held in County Jail without bail.