A Bella Vista man was sentenced to 40 years in prison after admitting to stabbing a woman to death.

Leon Louis Lincoln, 42, pleaded guilty Monday to first degree murder as a habitual offender. He has been convicted of 9 prior felonies. He pleaded guilty under a plea agreement reach between Nathan Smith, deputy prosecutor, and Lincoln's attorney Jay Saxton.

Lincoln was arrested Oct. 13, 2012 after Theresa Voshell was found stabbed at a home in Bella Vista.

Smith told Circuit Judge Robin Green that Lincoln and Voshell had a tumultuous relationship. Smith said Lincoln stabbed Voshell multiple times and caused her death.

Lincoln agreed with Smith's statement's describing the crime.

The judge accepted the plea agreement and Lincoln's guilty plea.

Family members of Voshell were present in court, but did not say anything doing the proceedings.

A tearful Lincoln did turn and face Voshell relatives and apologized for killing her.

Lincoln was sentenced to 40 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. He will have to serve at least 28 years before he will be eligible for parole.

He will have to abide by a suspended sentence agreement for 10 years after his release from prison.

The judge ordered Lincoln not to have any contact with Voshell's immediate family members which includes two sons.

"This resolution accomplishes two goals – it imposes a serious punishment for the murder of Ms. Voshell and it spares her family from going through a trial that they wished to avoid," Smith said. "The family of Ms. Voshell strongly supported this resolution and I am hopeful that this will help them close a painful chapter in their lives.”