A member of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang accepted a plea deal Monday, just as he and a member of a rival gang were about to go on trial for murder charges stemming from a 2011 shootout at a northern Nevada casino.

Cesar Villagrana, 38, of Gilroy, Calif., pleaded guilty in Washoe District Court to one count of battery with a deadly weapon and one count of challenge to fight with a deadly weapon resulting in death.

He faces up to 15 years in prison and a $15,000 fine at sentencing, which Judge Connie Steinheimer set for Sept. 4.

Villagrana originally faced up to life in prison on second-degree murder and other charges for shooting a Vagos member in the leg.

The surprise plea deal postponed court proceedings, but jury selection began Monday afternoon for Ernesto Gonzalez of San Francisco, the lone suspected gunman still facing charges in the Sept. 23, 2011, shooting on a busy casino floor at John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks.