photo by: Richard Gwin

Christine Kaplan was found dead in her home in the 1100 block of New York Street on July 26, 2014. Angelica M. Kulp was initially charged with first-degree murder in connection with Kaplan's death.

Nearly two years after a Lawrence woman was slain in her New York Street home, the woman police said is responsible pleaded guilty to the crime.

Thursday morning Angelica Kulp, 40, pleaded guilty to felony counts of second-degree murder and aggravated burglary. Initially a single charge of first-degree murder was filed against her. That charge was changed as part of her plea agreement, said prosecutor Eve Kemple.

On July 26, 2014, Christine Kaplan, 56, was found dead in her home at 1117 New York St., Kemple said. Friends of the family came by the house to finish some yard work and when one entered the home in search of a broom he found Kaplan’s body downstairs.

photo by: Richard Gwin

Angelica Marie Kulp

Police found dozens of “incised wounds,” or stab wounds, all over Kaplan’s body, including her neck, chest and hands, Kemple said. Kulp’s fingerprints and footprints were also found in Kaplan’s blood and she was soon named a suspect in the slaying.

photo by: Richard Gwin

Christine M. Kaplan

The previous summer Kulp stayed at Kaplan’s home, Kemple said. Kaplan was known to take in those in need of help, but had apparently asked Kulp to leave because she was running up the water bill and being disrespectful, Kemple said.

Kaplan had also reported that she was afraid of Kulp, Kemple said.

At the time, Kulp, who was known to be severely mentally ill, had been a Lawrence resident for about 10 years.

Several days after Kaplan’s body was found, Kulp was arrested in Topeka on an unrelated incident in which she had burglarized an acquaintance’s house. She was reportedly found hiding in the backyard with $18.10 worth of stolen change in her pockets.

photo by: Richard Gwin

Christine Kaplan was found dead in her home in the 1100 block of New York Street on July 26, 2014. Angelica M. Kulp was initially charged with first-degree murder in connection with Kaplan's death.

After she was declared competent to stand trial by Larned State Hospital, Kulp pleaded guilty to one felony count of aggravated burglary, according to Shawnee County Court records. She was sentenced to serve nearly three years in prison, followed by two years of post-release supervision.

In January, 11 months into her sentence, Kulp requested to be transferred to Douglas County in order to face the charges against her for Kaplan’s death.

Thursday morning Kulp appeared before Douglas County District Court Judge Kay Huff, her arms shaking, she explained, due to the effect her medication has on the nervous system.

Kulp spoke softly when answering Huff’s questions, noting she did not wish to proceed to a trial by jury.

“It’s just too stressful. I’m guilty and I know I’m guilty, and I don’t think it’s worth your time or the court’s time or the lawyer’s time or the prosecutor’s time,” she said.

Huff accepted Kulp’s guilty pleas and ordered the completion of a pre-sentence investigation.

Depending on Kulp’s criminal history she could face over 65 years in prison, Huff said. She is scheduled to be sentenced at 2 p.m. July 1. Her sentence will run consecutively to her sentence in Shawnee County.