BREAKING: Manden Whiddon rejects plea deal, hires new attorney

Posted on May 27, 2016

Manden Whiddon, one of three suspects charged in the death of longtime teacher Shelly Strickland, has rejected a plea deal offered by the state and instead hired a new attorney.

Whiddon was in court Friday (May 27) morning for what was expected to be a “change of plea” hearing, which had originally been scheduled for Thursday afternoon, but presiding Judge David Fina was delayed by court proceedings in Live Oak and it was postponed.

When Friday’s hearing began, Whiddon’s new attorney, David Taylor of Jacksonville, made an oral motion to continue the scheduled June trial date, which was granted. When Fina asked Whiddon is he understood the deal he was rejecting would not be available at a later date, Whiddon said he did.

More details of the hearing will be published in the Wednesday, June 1, Taco Times.

 

Subscribe to our e-Edition and read the rest of the story. Already a subscriber? Click here to sign in.