Murder suspect wants to withdraw plea

Murder suspect Elijah Hall was scheduled to be sentenced this morning. Instead, SeattlePI.com reports he dismissed his attorney and wants to withdraw his guilty plea.

Back in November, 17-year-old Hall pleaded guilty to last summer’s killing of convenience store clerk Manish Melwani. Melwani’s family was in the courtroom today, upset by Hall’s move. “I don’t know why he is doing this,” Melwani’s sister said, according to SeattlePI.com. The online site says the state plans to object the withdrawal. The site states that “Hall would have to show his guilty plea would result in a manifest injustice. As Hall had until Friday been represented by veteran defense attorney Tony Savage — former counsel to Green River Killer Gary Ridgway — a showing of failed assistance from his attorney may prove difficult.” A hearing on the matter will be scheduled once he’s assigned a new attorney. (Thanks Angelatini!)