Pennsylvania

Convicted of Murder, Man Says Lawyers Pressured Him to Plead Guilty

A man who pleaded guilty in the drug-related slayings of four people in northeastern Pennsylvania is seeking to reverse his conviction, saying he felt his lawyers pressured him into the plea.

The (Wilkes-Barre) Citizens' Voice reports that 21-year-old Shawn Hamilton told a Luzerne County judge Friday that he knew nothing about his defense.

Hamilton and his brother, Sawud Davis, pleaded guilty in the July 2012 murders of 21-year-old Bradley Swartwood, 17-year-old Nicholas Maldonado and 15-year-old Lisa Abaunza.

Prosecutors said the brothers planned a robbery during a drug deal and wanted to eliminate witnesses. Hamilton also pleaded guilty to having killed a fourth person in Wilkes-Barre the day before.

Hamilton's trial attorney testified that the defense had been prepared to go to trial if Hamilton wanted to do so.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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