An 88-year-old man from central Missouri entered a guilty plea in the stabbing death of his 86-year-old wife during his court appearance on Monday.

Donald Rowland, who is facing charges of first-degree involuntary manslaughter, pleaded guilty in the death of his wife, Betty Rowland, at the Boone County Circuit Court. He is due back in court to be sentenced on April 13, reports KWTX.com.

The stabbing incident occurred on Oct. 31. Rowland's adult daughter reportedly called police after she paid a visit to the couple's home in the 3400 block of Woodrail Terrace in Columbia in October to check on them. That is when she discovered that both of her parents had stab wounds while they were lying together in bed. Her mother, who was unresponsive, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Rowland, on the other hand, was taken to University Hospital to be treated for self-inflicted stab wounds, reports The Columbia Daily Tribune. The following week he was booked in the Boone County jail for his wife's death.

According to a probable cause statement, he told police that he killed his sickly wife and harmed himself because he did not want to burden his family members.

Although the elderly man was originally charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action, Boone County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Merilee Crockett amended those charges to the lesser charge of first-degree involuntary manslaugher on Feb. 19.

Rowland's attorney, James R. Hobbs, suggested that his client receive a seven-year prison sentence since first-degree involuntary manslaughter is a Class C felony that is punishable by a maximum of seven years behind bars.

During his court appearance, Rowland was subjected to questions about his rights and the facts of the case. The judge also read part of the criminal complaint, which states that he was fully aware that he killed his wife.