Judge grants delay in Ibeabuchi case

Mathis Winkler

Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001 | 10:59 a.m.

Minutes before his scheduled sentencing today for sexually assaulting an outcall dancer, former heavyweight boxer Ikemefula "Ike" Ibeabuchi asked a Clark County District Court judge to withdraw his guilty plea, claiming that medication prevented him from thinking clearly when he entered his plea.

District Court Judge Joseph Bonaventure made it clear that he wasn't inclined to grant Ibeabuchi's request, but nevertheless granted a delay so that defense attorneys could have time to argue their case.

Prosecutors objected to delaying the sentencing, saying that Ibeabuchi's plea had been entered voluntarily.

Defense attorneys now have 10 days to argue their case to the judge and prosecutors will have an equal amount of time to respond. The boxer's next court date has been set for Jan. 24, at which time the judge will either accept Ibeabuchi's request to withdraw his plea or sentence him.

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