A teenager who pleaded guilty to taking part in the June murder of a Gary-New Duluth man was in St. Louis County District Court this morning asking to withdraw his guilty plea.
Sequoyah James Bosto, 19, said he felt pressured by his attorney to plead guilty to intentional second-degree murder because he was told a grand jury would be convened to consider a first-degree murder indictment against him if he didn't plead guilty.
However, at an Oct. 6 hearing, Bosto, who has a seventh-grade education, told the court that he understood the charge against him, he understood his right to have a judge or jury determine whether he was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, but that he wanted to waive those rights and plead guilty.
St. Louis County prosecutor Leslie Beiers opposed Bosto's motion.
"Mr. Bosto never expressed any confusion or dissatisfaction" in understanding the proceedings or the work of his attorney," Beiers said.
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Bosto fired his public defender and represented himself in court Thursday. Sixth Judicial District Judge Heather Sweetland took Bosto's motion under advisement and said she expected to issue a decision in seven to 10 days.
Jordan Michael Metoxen, 18, pleaded guilty to intentional second-degree murder and was sentenced in October to 40 years in prison for taking part in the brutal murder of licensed practical nurse Donald O'Brien, 40 feet from the victim's Gary-New Duluth home.
Metoxen and Bosto were accused of kicking and stomping O'Brien to near-death while robbing him as he walked home with a 12-pack of beer on June 9. The victim died the next day of multiple traumatic injuries to his face, head and neck resulting in massive brain trauma and bleeding. He also suffered nine broken ribs.
Metoxen, who has a ninth-grade education, testified at his plea hearing that he and Bosto kicked and stomped O'Brien more than a dozen times. He said Bosto initiated the attack and he joined in.
