A Carthage man charged in connection with his wife’s slaying pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Tuesday in court and will be sentenced Thursday.

Gale Lynn Frye originally was declared mentally incompetent to stand trial for the slaying of 76-year-old Bertha Frye on Feb. 12, 2010.

Judge Joseph E. Turner found Frye was unable to assist in his trial, so he was taken to a state mental hospital.

Experts have declared that Frye since has improved to the point where he could enter a plea in his case. On Tuesday, he took a plea deal before Senior Resident Superior Court Judge James M. Webb.

According to Carthage police, Frye called 911 and asked EMS to come and “resuscitate” his wife. When paramedics reached the Frye residence at 396 Simpson Road in Carthage, they found Bertha Frye already dead from a single gunshot wound to the head.

After questioning, officers arrested Frye and charged him with murder.

In court Tuesday, Frye, 69, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Under the deal, the state reduced the charge from first-degree murder and left the sentence to the court, depending on whether mitigating evidence would be offered and accepted.

That hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday.

Contact John Chappell at (910) 783-5841 or jfchappell@gmail.com.