An Elkhart man has admitted to murder in a plea agreement that will see child molesting charges dismissed.

Allen Sage, 31, pleaded guilty Thursday to the June 22 shooting death of 49-year-old Kenneth Black following a two-vehicle crash. Sage in court said he was acting to protect his father but acknowledged that the killing was not justified.

The Elkhart Truth reports he will receive a 65-year sentence under the plea bargain agreement, the maximum term for murder. Also under the plea, prosecutors will dismiss child molesting charges that were filed against him after his arrest for murder.

Sage was accused of incidents involving two girls in 2015 and 2016. His plea requires him to pay victim restitution in both cases.

Sage was awaiting a June 7 trial date in both instances. The child molesting charges – one count as a Level 1 felony and two Level 4 felonies – represented total prison time of up to 64 years.

He acknowledged that he killed Black as Circuit Court Judge Michael Christofeno went over the plea agreement with him.

“It was during a disagreement,” Sage told the judge. “He went to strike out at my dad; I reached for my gun in an attempt to stop him when I should have just retreated.”

Sage didn’t know how many shots he fired from his 9mm handgun.

This story was originally reported by the Elkhart Truth and can found here.