Couple in court to withdraw plea agreement

Wednesday, June 1, 2005 | 9:05 a.m.

A married couple who recently pleaded guilty to lesser charges to avoid the possibility of the death penalty in the killing of a 73-year-old Las Vegas man in 2002 want to withdraw their pleas.

Keelee Chafford, 36, and 54-year-old James Wade both originally faced five felony counts in connection to the Aug. 9, 2002, death of Lloyd Nelson, 73.

But prosecutors agreed to let Chafford enter an Alford plea to one count of second-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery and to let Wade enter an Alford plea to one count of voluntary manslaughter with use of a deadly weapon.

Under an Alford plea a defendant technically does not admit guilt but agrees that prosecutors could prove their case at trial.

On Tuesday, however, the couple told District Judge Jackie Glass they wished to withdraw their guilty plea agreement and face their original charges.

Chafford and Wade originally were charged with conspiracy, burglary, and first-degree kidnapping, robbery, and murder with use of a deadly weapon -- all of a victim 65 years of age or older.

District Judge Jackie Glass has scheduled a hearing for Thursday at which time Chafford and Wade are expected to have new attorneys appointed to their cases.

If Chafford and Wade withdraw their guilty pleas, they will once again face the possibility of the death penalty if convicted by a jury.

Under the deal they had reached with prosecutors, Chafford faced 10 years to life in prison or a set term of 10 to 25 years in prison for second-degree murder under ordinary sentencing guidelines. As part of the plea agreement, however, prosecutors had agreed to stipulate Chafford be sentenced to 10 to 25 years in prison.

Chafford also faced one to six years for conspiracy to commit robbery.

Wade faced two to 10 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter and one to six years in prison for conspiracy to commit robbery.