ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (AP) - Prosecutors in Caledonia County are considering recusing themselves from the case of Allen Draper because of a potential conflict of interest.
Draper pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, assault and robbery, and giving false information to police in the 2018 death of Tim Persons in St. Johnsbury.
But he’s seeking to withdraw his guilty pleas, saying he lied to cover for others when he confessed to the crime.
The Caledonia County State’s Attorney’s Office asked to delay a hearing on the case on Monday. A motion in court pointed to a potential conflict and said “the office is determining the best way to go forward.”
Draper told police he went to Persons’ home to demand money to buy drugs. Draper said that when Persons refused, he hit him in the head with a radiator pipe and set his home afire, authorities said.
Persons died from blunt force trauma to the head and smoke inhalation, the state medical examiner determined.
Draper knew Persons from volunteer work Persons did at the Covered Bridge Therapeutic Communities halfway house where Draper was living, police said. Persons was actively involved at Covered Bridge as a mentor and an organizer of community service projects.
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