POMONA -- A judge is set to rule Thursday on an accused drunk driver's request to withdraw guilty pleas to murder charges stemming from a fatal car crash last year in La Verne.
Alan Michael McConnell, 28, pleaded guilty to two counts of murder April 6 as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors that carries a prison sentence of 15 years to life.
But at his scheduled sentencing two weeks later in Pomona Superior Court, the Covina man said he'd changed his mind and wished to revert his pleas to not guilty.
Prosecutors say McConnell was drunk on Jan. 23, 2010 when he drove into a tree in the median of Foothill Boulevard near Wheeler Avenue.
The crash killed his passengers, Renee Hardy, 20, and Telassie Dague, 22.
During a court hearing today, Judge Tia Fisher discussed McConnell's request with a prosecutor and McConnell's current and former attorneys.
According to Fisher, McConnell believes his prior attorney pressured him into accepting a plea bargain.
The pressure, combined with other factors, was so great that McConnell believes his decision to plead guilty was not voluntary, Fisher said.
McConnell and his previous attorney, Sam Abrahamian, are scheduled to testify Thursday about McConnell's guilty pleas.
After the men testify, Fisher is expected to rule on McConnell's request to withdraw his pleas.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled if Fisher denies McConnell's request.