A hearing on whether James Scott can withdraw from the plea arrangement that saw him spared a death sentence in the slaying of a Chicago police officer was delayed Friday after the judge in the case determined Scott should have a new lawyer.
Scott last month had promised not to appeal his jury conviction in the slaying of officer John Knight and pleaded guilty in another murder case in exchange for a sentence of life in prison without parole. Now he has filed a motion arguing that the plea was not voluntary and that his public defenders pressured him into the deal and did not give him enough information on the appeal rights he waived.
Judge Clayton Crane noted Friday that Scott’s public defenders, led by Michael Mayfield, are potential witnesses at a hearing on the motion. “At this point, there is a conflict between you and your attorneys, so I shall appoint another one,” Crane said, continuing the matter until Monday.
The judge is expected to hear arguments at the hearing on whether Scott, 28, understood what he was doing when he entered into the arrangement on Jan. 28.
