A Dallas-area man who allegedly had been drinking before he fatally shot his 10-year-old daughter has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
The penalty phase was scheduled Tuesday in Denton for Duke Watrous.
He reached the plea agreement before jury selection was to begin Monday. Watrous faces up to 20 years in prison over the Christmas Eve 2009 fatal shooting of his 10-year-old daughter, Ashley.
The Denton Record-Chronicle reports the victim's 9-year-old brother telephoned for help. The boy told Oak Point police and other law officers that his father was intoxicated and playing with a "cowboy gun." A Texas Ranger who helped investigate the death said he smelled alcohol on the father.
A trail of blood led to a weapons safe, where officers recovered a revolver and a shotgun.
