MIAMI -- A 50-year-old woman on Monday pleaded guilty to a lesser murder charge for the death of her ex-husband in 2002.

Gloria Fierro agreed to a guilty plea of second-degree murder with a firearm, reduced from first-degree murder, in the death of attorney Henry Fierro, who was found shot to death in his home in July 2002.

Police said Gloria Fierro confessed to killing her ex-husband. Defense attorneys claimed she suffered from battered wife syndrome.

A Broward County judge was overhearing testimony in the case Monday to make a determination on her sentencing. Miami-Dade County judges had recused themselves from making a ruling in the case because the victim's brother is a county judge.

Fierro could receive anywhere from the minimum 25 years in prison to life behind bars.