HUDSON, Wis. — The defense says a North Dakota man accused of killing his three daughters in Wisconsin might admit to the crimes but maintain an insanity claim.

Defense attorney John Kucinski said that Aaron Schaffhausen might change his plea today and just have an insanity phase of the trial.

Schaffhausen is expected to appear at a hearing today. His trial is scheduled to begin Monday.

The Minot, N.D., construction worker faces three counts of first-degree intentional homicide in the July 10 deaths of his daughters, 11-year-old Amara, 8-year-old Sophie and 5-year-old Cecilia. The sisters were killed at their River Falls home.

In January, Schaffhausen added a plea of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

 

Kucinski would not explain why his client might change his plea.