FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - A trial was set to begin Monday for a 21-year-old Fairbanks man who is charged with second-degree murder in the 2011 death of an acquaintance after an argument.
Cornelius Everett Jr. pleaded guilty last year to manslaughter and accepted a 15-year prison term for his role in the death of 55-year-old Johnson Griffin at a Fairbanks apartment, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (https://is.gd/LJWH2R) reported.
Everett later changed his mind eight days later, saying his court-appointed attorney coerced him into pleading guilty.
Superior Court Judge Michael MacDonald released Everett from the plea deal. The judge, however, declined to grant a new court-appointed attorney, according to court documents.
In June 2011, Griffin was found dead in his Northward Building apartment.
Police didn’t immediately suspect foul play. Everett was later identified as a suspect after a medical examiner determined Griffin died of blunt force trauma to his chest.
Investigators say Everett and Griffin got into an argument and Everett assaulted Griffin.
Authorities have said Griffin likely was assaulted days before he succumbed to his wounds and died.
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Information from: Fairbanks (Alaska) Daily News-Miner, https://www.newsminer.com
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