International fugitive could plead guilty in Tampa

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Wade Angel and wife Lynn have been waiting for the day they face off with their son's accused killer.

"It's been a long time coming. We have to do it for William. We're the only ones that fight for him," said Lynn Angel.

And fight they have. The Angels have watched Christopher Ponce go from Tampa criminal defendant to international fugitive. Ponce was even featured on the John Walsh show "The Hunt."

Prosecutors say back in July 2012, Ponce was driving drunk and the wrong way on I-275. They say he crashed into William Angel's car, killing him and severely injuring his passengers.

Ponce was given bond, but didn't stick around.  He cut off his ankle monitor and took off.

Wade had a gut feeling about it. "I said, you better ask for his passport."

He was caught in Spain three and half years later. Now sources say he will skip a trial and plead guilty.

Legal expert Anthony Rickman explained what happens next. "On an open plea, a defendant says he's guilty and asks the judge to sentence him at that point in time."

But his sentence could be affected by a technical issue with the extradition. It turns out prosecutors didn't include the new charges to fleeing and tampering with an ankle monitor to the paperwork given to Spanish authorities.

The defense is now fighting to get those charges dropped. That is still up in the air.

But the family's wait may soon be over, with justice right around the corner. "I said from the beginning I would want him to come out of prison a middle-aged man because he doesn't deserve youth. He stole my son's and he wasted his," added Wade.

Ponce faces up 35 years in prison. The issue on the extradition could cut that by 10 years.  We'll know for sure on Friday.