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Federal Judge Testifies On Allegations Of Improper Plea Deal

Associated Press0

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A federal judge in North Dakota took a new seat in the courtroom to testify over allegations he promised a Bismarck attorney “a favor” if he agreed to defend a man convicted of gunning down another man 10 years ago.

U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson in 2008 sentenced Gabriel Martinez to life in prison for the drug-related killing of Lee Avila in an East Grand Forks, Minnesota, trailer home.

Martinez says his attorney in the case, Thomas Dickson, and Erickson worked together to convince the defendant to change his plea to guilty rather than going to trial as he wanted.

Erickson testified that he asked Dickson to take the case, but never discussed possible sentences.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Viken from South Dakota presided over Wednesday’s hearing in Fargo.

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