A Muscatine, Iowa woman who was to stand trial later this month on murder charges has pleaded guilty to five lesser charges.

Ann Marie Smith was charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of 36-year-old Zina Montoya in August 2008. Montoya's body was found in her front yard. She had been shot at least four times. Smith was arrested about a week later.

On Wednesday, the 53-year-old Smith pleaded guilty in Muscatine County District Court to voluntary manslaughter, and other lesser charges. Terms of the plea agreement call for a maximum sentence of 45 years and require Smith to pay Montoya's estate 150 thousand dollars.

The sentencing of Smith, who remains in the Muscatine County Jail, is scheduled for August 21st.