FAYETTEVILLE — The Fayetteville teen accused of killing 17-year-old Chris Eggleston two years ago pleaded guilty to second degree murder Friday.

Prosecutors say the deal has been in the works for the past few months, but it was unclear whether it would be reached before the case went to trial.

Under the agreement, Matthew Myers pleaded guilty to the second degree murder and first degree kidnapping of Eggleston.

Myers was given an opportunity to speak to the Eggleston family. He turned to them and said he was truly sorry.

The Eggleston family was teary-eyed during the apology. Eggleston's mother then addressed Myers, saying she hopes he remembers her son's violent death every day for the rest of his life.

"I just wanted him to know that his apology is not good enough for me," says Angie Eggleston, the victim's mother. "And I want him to know what I see when I go to bed every night, which is Chris tied up to a tree and being shoved under a log and covered with mud."

The details behind the Eggleston murder became public in court. Myers was part of a group that dressed in black, acted like vampires and simulated drinking blood.

The group found out Eggleston was telling school officials they were dangerous. Then, they told Myers to teach him a lesson; soon after, Eggleston was declared missing.

Myers beat him, tied him up, then dragged him around until he died. Afterwards he reportedly bragged to classmates about the murder.

After an agonizing deliberation, prosecutors and Eggleston family members finally decided to take the plea agreement Myers' attorneys were offering.

Myers will receive a sentence of at least 25 years in prison, and up to 31 years. He was sent back to jail after the proceedings.

The Eggleston family cried and hugged outside the courtroom. Prosecutors say they made this agreement in part because they wanted to spare the family the pain of a long, horrific trial.

"We've had great desires from the family not to have to endure a trial, and for months they have anxiously hoped that the trial could be avoided," Cumberland County prosecutor Ed Grannif said.

Family members say they are settling for the agreement, but they are not completely satisfied. Though the settlement provides them with some closure, they made it clear they are still very angry with Myers.