The defense attorney representing Dequavion James, who is charged with manslaughter in connection to the death of DeAndre Palmer, has filed a motion to withdraw his client’s guilty plea as part of a plea agreement with the Commonwealth.
Ted Shouse, James and Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling appeared before Christian Circuit Court Judge John Atkins Wednesday morning with Shouse arguing his client didn’t understand that when he accepted the plea offer the sentence would run consecutively instead of concurrently due to some discrepancy with the plea agreement document.
click to download audioBoling argued that the plea agreement was thoroughly explained to James.
click to download audioJudge Atkins pointed out to Shouse there is a risk if the case goes back onto the trial docket.
click to download audioAs part of the resolution, the recommended sentence was 30-years with James becoming eligible for parole after serving at least 20-years.
Judge Atkins did not rule on the motion to withdraw and set a hearing for noon on November 3rd.
James was initially charged with murder which was amended to manslaughter in the shooting death of Palmer who was 19-years old. Police said James and Leonardo Miller fatally shot Palmer at Miller’s home in Oak Grove and then hid his body in a closet. According to police, Palmer’s body was eventually dumped on the side of Carter Road near Ghost Bridge, which was found on July 20, 2016.
