TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – A Florida man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend was deemed mentally competent to stand trial.

Preston Clarke, 47, pleaded guilty on Monday after accepting a plea deal on a reduced murder charge in exchange for a 40-year prison sentence, according to court records.

Clarke is accused of killing Linda Faye Hollins, who was 26 when she died on March 20, 1998, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

She was a single mother of three daughters and her friends got concerned when she didn’t pick her children up from daycare. She was found dead inside her Tampa apartment by police, the newspaper reported.

Clarke was found incompetent more than 10 times, the Times reported.

Hollins’ sister, Georgia Sylvain, told the newspaper that her family has waited a long time for justice.

“I didn’t think I would love to see him get any justice,” Sylvain said. “After 10 years, you think, how long is this going to go on?”

Because Clarke has spent over 6,000 days in jail, he could serve his sentence in 18 years if he continues his good behavior.

“And we’re thankful she has some form of justice,” Sylvain said.