Updated

New Jersey prosecutors say a Louisiana inmate has confessed to being the triggerman in a 1984 murder-for-hire case that was the subject of the book "Blind Faith."

Larry Thompson was acquitted in the murder of Maria Marshall at a highway rest stop. But Marshall's husband, insurance salesman Robert Marshall, was convicted at the same trial of hiring Thompson and another man to commit the crime. Marshall remains in prison.

Prosecutor Joseph Coronato said Friday that Thompson has admitted he fired the shots that killed Maria Marshall. Investigators say he admitted that his alibi witnesses were lying or mistaken.

The 71-year-old Thompson can't be retried. But he is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison for other crimes.

Officials say they don't know if Thompson has a lawyer.