CLEVELAND (AP) - An Ohio judge has rejected a request by a former
Franciscan brother to withdraw his guilty plea in the 2002 shooting
death of a Roman Catholic priest.
Daniel Montgomery is serving a 24-year sentence
after pleading guilty ten years ago to murder and aggravated arson in
the shooting of Rev. William Gulas, pastor of St. Stanislaus Church in
Cleveland.
The 47-year-old Montgomery, originally from
suburban Philadelphia, apologized to Gulas' family at his 2003 plea
hearing and sentencing.
Cuyahoga County judge Joan Synenberg turned down
Montgomery's request Friday on the basis of a legal doctrine that bars
the reconsideration of issues that have already been ruled on.
Montgomery's attorney Barry Wilford, who argues
that prosecutors withheld evidence and Montgomery may have falsely
confessed, said Tuesday the issue will be appealed.