SHELBYVILLE - The Shelby County woman who shot and killed her live-in boyfriend in January 2005 pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Tuesday.

Originally charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of Charles Fulford Jr., Barbara Ericson sought a delay in court proceedings last summer to undergo psychiatric evaluation for "battered woman syndrome."

Ericson and Fulford "shared a residence in rural Shelbyville (and) had a history of domestic violence toward each other," said Shelby County State's Attorney Allan Lolie.

As part of Tuesday's plea agreement to second-degree murder, Judge Michael Kiley sentenced Ericson, 44, to 20 years with the Illinois Department of Corrections, the maximum term possible for the Class 1 felony.

Sheriff's deputies arrested Ericson on Jan. 16 after she summoned them to her residence, where they found Fulford, 40, lying dead.

According to Lolie, Ericson initially told police Fulford killed himself but later admitted she shot him in the torso with a handgun during an argument.

During her initial court hearing Jan. 18, 2005, Ericson appeared with her arm in a sling.

In February 2005, Ericson pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder.

In July, she sought to continue her trial so mental health experts could determine whether she suffered from "battered woman syndrome."

According to the American Judges Association, the syndrome belongs to a subcategory of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and results from a series of psychological reactions "that can be expected to occur in normal people who are exposed to repeated trauma."

Ericson was first represented by Shelby County Public Defender Robert Swiney and then by Shelbyville defense attorney E.C. Eberspacher.

Nathaniel West can bre reached at nwest@;jg-tc.com or 238-6860.