Oak Grove murder suspects wants to withdraw guilty plea

After pleading guilty in June to manslaughter as part of a plea deal for the 2016 death of De’Andre Palmer in Oak Grove, Dequavion James now has a new attorney and wants to withdraw that guilty plea.

Louisville attorney Ted Shouse now represents James and filed a motion Tuesday to withdraw the guilty plea—one day before James was scheduled to be sentenced. Circuit Judge John Atkins noted James’ refusal to fill out pre-sentencing investigation paperwork and scheduled another hearing to hear the withdrawal motion.

Judge Atkins also urged Shouse to discuss the pre-sentencing report with James prior to their next court appearance.

The original plea deal came with a recommended 30-year sentence.

According to the Commonwealth’s plea offer, on July 16, 2016, James while armed with handgun was told by co-defendant Leonardo Miller to shoot Palmer when given a nod. When Miler nodded to James, he allegedly pulled the trigger and shot Palmer once.  Palmer was then allegedly shot a second time by Miller, and he died from his injuries.

Police say the suspects took cash and other items from Palmer’s pockets before putting his body in a closet. Palmer’s body was later moved from the residence and it was discovered a few days later by an Oak Grove police officer near Ghost Bridge on Carter Road.