Hobbs not sentenced: Asks to fire attorney, withdraw plea
<p>Hobbs, in orange, withdrew his guilty plea after a discussion with his attorney, Ben Anciaux, right, and Judge James Manley.</p>
POLSON – Dennis J. Hobbs stood in court Aug. 28 struggling to get words from his mouth, but ultimately told the court he did not rape his ex-girlfriend.
Instead of going through his court ordered psycho-sexual evaluation, which he twice refused to complete, Hobbs wrote a letter to the court requesting to withdraw his guilty plea and fire his attorney. Hobbs’ letter was a subject of considerable discussion as he stood before Lake County District Court Judge James A. Manley.
Due to Hobbs’ requests, Manley was compelled to continue his case until Sept. 17.
Hobbs’ attorney, Ben Anciaux, explained that his client changed his mind since the issuing of his plea withdraw request. In court Anciaux said Hobbs did not want to fire his attorney, or change his plea.
Through a question-and-answer conversation, Anciaux got Hobbs to admit that he might have done the things alleged against him when he had sex with his ex-girlfriend, but did not believe he raped her. Instead, he felt his actions were done with no intention to hurt or offend. Admitting that he did something wrong, was a problem for Hobbs.
“This is about perception,” Anciaux said, explaining Hobbs believes he had sex with his former girlfriend, not that he raped her. “You are reluctant to admit they were criminal acts,” he asked Hobbs.
Manley asked Hobbs to stand and explain himself.
“I was put on the spot,” Hobbs said about making his first plea agreement.
In addition, Anciaux said Hobbs wants a signed letter forcing law enforcement officials to return a list of personal items to Hobbs’ father.
Manley told Hobbs that he cannot write a letter to the court asking to fire his attorney and withdraw his plea; then come to court without taking his sexual evaluation and tell the court he changed his mind about withdrawing his plea.
Manley asked Hobbs if he was now admitting that he’d lied under oath when he accepted his plea deal, and Hobbs stood silent for a few pregnant moments until his attorney stepped in.
“I’ll stick with what I’ve already said,” Hobbs said after sighing.
Anciaux asked the court for three weeks so Hobbs could complete the psycho-sexual evaluation. He is expected to complete his evaluation, Anciaux said.
Hobbs faces up to 50 years in prison.