7 years ago
JACKSONVILLE, FL (AP) -- A prosecutor says the Jacksonville man accused of killing his estranged wife and four other people over an 11-day period should be given a court hearing on his bid to fire his attorneys and plead guilty.
The motion was filed yesterday by State Attorney Harry Shorstein. William Wells is accused of killing five people in late May and stashing their bodies inside his Mayport home. The dead included his wife, her father and her brother.
Wells has indicated a desire to fire his public defender and represent himself. Shorstein's motion says he has also indicated a desire to plead guilty to five counts of first-degree murder.
The motion asks Circuit Judge Henry Davis to conduct a hearing to determine Wells' desire regarding his counsel. If Wells is allowed to fire his attorney, Shorstein says he should also be allowed to enter a plea.
Shorstein has said he plans to seek the death penalty.
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Associated Press