Minot man appeals conviction for killing his brother in 2016

MINOT, N.D. (AP) - A Minot man who admitted killing his brother two years ago is appealing to the North Dakota Supreme Court.

The Minot Daily News reports that the defense for 28-year-old Adolfo Contreras-Castillo maintains that a judge erred in denying Contreras-Castillo’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea last fall.

Contreras-Castillo pleaded guilty in August 2016 to killing 28-year-old Ignacio Contreras-Castillo during an argument in March of that year. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

A year ago he said he stabbed his brother in self-defense but was pressured by his attorney into pleading guilty.

Ward County State’s Attorney Roza Larson maintains that Contreras-Castillo knowingly and voluntarily entered his guilty plea and should not be allowed to withdraw it.

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Information from: Minot Daily News, http://www.minotdailynews.com