A judge has accepted triple-murder suspect Edward Covington's guilty plea.

On Thursday, Covington fired his counsel and said he wanted to plead guilty to the 2008 murders of his girlfriend Lisa Frieberg and her two children, Zachary, 7, and Savannah, 2. 

In court Friday, Judge William Fuente asked Covington had he reconsidered his decision.

"I will go with my counsel," Covington said. "But I have to have my medication."

A closed door meeting followed with Covington and his attorneys.

Once Covington returned to court, his attorneys said he still wanted to plead guilty.

Fuente asked him if he was pleading guilty because that's what he wanted to do. Covington replied "yes."

Covington has also pleaded guilty to three counts of abuse of a dead body and one count of animal cruelty.

Covington's original decision to forgo the trial came on the first day of testimony. It shocked the courtroom Thursday.

"I may not understand or be aware of all that happened that tragic day," Covington said. "Ultimately in the end, I'm responsible for it. I knew something was going wrong and failed to protect the people I cared about."

Fuente insisted on a competency hearing, especially since Covington is currently on medication for a mental disorder.

Detectives investigating the murders said the victims had been stabbed, mutilated and dismembered. They said the family's dog was also beaten to death.

Covington was found in a closet inside the mobile home. He was wearing only his underwear and was covered in toys and clothes. Investigators said he had blood on his palms and feet.

Questions concerning Covington's sanity have delayed the case coming to trial.

The sentencing phase of the trial has been slated for Nov. 3. The judge will decide if Covington will serve life in prison or if he will receive the death penalty.