A man pleaded no contest today to killing his grandparents at the Glendale home they all shared, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced.

Deputy District Attorney Fernanda Barreto said Nathaniel Wayne Scheiern, 35, entered the pleas to one count each of first-degree murder and second-degree murder in case GA096622.

Scheiern also admitted using an ax as a deadly and dangerous weapon.

Sentencing is scheduled on June 22 in Department C of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Pasadena Branch. The defendant faces 41 years to life in state prison.

According to evidence presented at the preliminary hearing, on or between June 24 and June 25, 2015, the defendant attacked and killed Verna Scheiern, 82, with an ax. William Sheiern, 77, was killed with a hammer by his grandson as William attempted to intervene, the prosecutor said.

Their bodies were discovered by police on June 28, 2015.

The case was investigated by the Glendale Police Department

Los Angeles County District Attorney / case GA096622 / April 27, 2017