The man who has been accused of murdering two bail bondsmen in April 2012 has entered a "no contest" plea with the court.

The defendant, 28 year-old Stephen Stewart is set to be scheduled toward the end of next month and in exchange for the plea, his murder charges and other felonies will be dismissed. Instead, Stewart will be sentenced on two counts of voluntary manslaughter.

Bondsmen throughout the country traveled to Kern County to mourn the loss of brothers Brandon and Zachary Sims, and Dog the Bounty Hunter, aka Duane Chapman, also flew in from Hawaii.

The incident unfolded on Apr. 26, 2012 when the brothers traveled to an area residence to apprehend a 24-year old bail skip.  When the bondsmen arrived to recover Zachary Perrick, Stewart answered the door but quickly tried to slam it shut once he realized what was happening.

23 year-old Brandon Sims tackled Perrick, and that's when Stewart started shooting.  Several rounds of gunfire were exchanged before Steward managed to get away on foot.   Brandon Sims was reportedly found dead at an outside corner of the house; his brother's body was recovered in the inside hallway.

Stewart was arrested two days later at a friend's house and has been in custody ever since.

Neighbors said they were shocked this type of violence took place in their otherwise safe and peaceful neighborhood.

The brothers were not independent bail agents, but were working for their dad at his Bakersfield bail bonds company.