Mark J. Spatucci, 25, pled guilty to strangling Mary Greff, 23, on Oct. 23, 2013.
HACKENSACK - A Midland Park man may spend the next 45 years in prison after pleading guilty Friday to murdering his ex-girlfriend as their infant son slept nearby.
Mark J. Spatucci, 25, pled guilty to strangling Mary Greff, 23, on Oct. 23, 2013, said Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal.
Spatucci also pled guilty to hindering apprehension by concealing or destroying evidence; specifically, by deleting text messages and washing clothes worn during the crime, authorities said.
Prosecutors will recommend that Spatucci spend 45 years in prison with no possibility for parole until he has served 85 percent of his sentence, the prosecutor said.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 15.
According to earlier reports, investigators alleged Spatucci climbed through the window of Greff's home, sexually assaulted her numerous times and strangled her. The baby boy was not harmed.
He fled out through the same window, investigators said.
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Relatives of Spatucci and Greff previously told NJ Advance Media that the two met through mutual friends and fell in love, but their relationship became turbulent once the baby was born as they sparred over child support and custody issues.
Those relatives said the couple lived together in Waldwick before Greff broke up with Spatucci about two months after the baby was born and moved in with her parents.
Greff retained custody of the child while Spatucci was allowed supervised visits, they said.
Prosecutors said that several months before her death, Greff had asked a judge to lift a restraining order against Spatucci. A judge lifted the order after Greff was questioned thoroughly at the time about her decision and said she was not afraid of Spatucci.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.