LA GRANDE — The Elgin man charged in the 2020 deaths of his girlfriend and a juvenile pleaded guilty to murder charges on Monday, May 13, in a Union County court.

Gary Otis Mason, 58, entered guilty pleas to two counts of murder in the first degree, according to court documents, as part of a plea deal. Mason originally pleaded not guilty to the charges in 2021. As part of the deal, Union County District Attorney Kelsie McDaniel is recommending life in prison with a minimum of 30 years on both counts to be served concurrently, a life term of post-prison supervision and restitution to be determined.

“The family of the victims have been very involved, and they were in agreement with this outcome to avoid a trial,” McDaniel said.

Mason was arrested in 2020 on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of his girlfriend, Candy Williams, 56, of Elgin, and her 14-year-old granddaughter. Court documents do not name Williams’ granddaughter, who was a minor at the time of her death. The slaying took place Dec. 29, 2020, at the home of Mason and Williams on Chumos Road outside Elgin, about 25 miles northeast of La Grande. Local law enforcement found the bodies of Williams and her granddaughter after Mason called 911. Evidence suggests at least 18 gunshots had been fired into the bodies of the deceased.

Sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. May 29 in the Union County Courthouse.