MONTREAL — Martin Charest, an inmate charged with the murder of serial killer Robert Pickton, is expected to plead guilty today. Charest faces a first-degree murder charge stemming from an incident that occurred last year at the Port-Cartier federal penitentiary.

Pickton, who was convicted in 2007 of six counts of second-degree murder, was known for confessing to the killings of 49 women. He lured his victims to his pig farm near Vancouver. Charest's lawyer has confirmed that he will enter a guilty plea during a court appearance in Sept-Îles, located northeast of Quebec City.

The assault on Pickton took place on May 19, 2024, while medication was being distributed in the prison. An investigation summary released this summer detailed that Pickton was attacked by another inmate. The report indicated that Pickton died in the hospital 12 days after the assault, which involved the assailant breaking a broomstick and using the broken end to injure Pickton.

Charest was charged with first-degree murder in July, more than a year after Pickton's death. The case has drawn significant attention due to Pickton's infamy as one of Canada's most notorious serial killers.