Robert Clarence Ward and Andrew Fierro were together Dec. 29 drinking beer in Fierro's sister-in-law's apartment on Lexington Parkway in St. Paul.

Fierro, 43, ended up dead from a stab wound to the neck. Ward, 43, pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree unintentional murder.

Ward clearly and calmly answered questions from prosecutor Richard Diffatte at the plea hearing.

According to the criminal complaint filed in Ramsey County District Court, Ward told police that he'd been drinking with Fierro in the apartment and that he stabbed Fierro in the neck after Fierro suddenly came at him "for no reason" with a butcher knife.

Ward will be sentenced Nov. 14 by District Judge Michael Fetsch.

PAT PHEIFER