Thompson told the Corsicana Daily Sun that he had discussed the deal with the family of Hanna Mack, and they agreed that a life sentence was acceptable. Prosecutors could have sought the death penalty.
Arender's attorney, Mark Griffith, said his client would testify about the crime at the hearing.
Dana Mack found her youngest daughter hanging in the family garage in September 2007. Arender, who lived less than a mile from the Mack home in Navarro Mills, about 65 miles south of Dallas, was charged nearly three weeks later. He was already in jail on unrelated burglary and drug possession charges.
DNA taken from Hanna's clothing was a partial match for Arender, according to the arrest affidavit.
Hanna died by asphyxiation, according to the affidavit. Authorities later confirmed she had been sexually assaulted.
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