A 29-year-old Dolores man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last year now contends that his court-appointed attorney was ineffective.
Luther Hampson is serving 25 years in prison after he admitted killing 27-year-old Jonathan Hayes, of Dolores. Hikers found Haye's body off County Road T on Jan. 14, 2012, a week after Hayes reportedly was last seen alive.
According to court records, Hampson has filed three motions, including a request to withdraw his plea, a claim of ineffective counsel by public defender Justin Bogan and a petition for post-conviction relief, on Dec. 10, 2013, Jan. 10, 2014, and Jan. 17, 2014, respectively. Hampson was convicted and sentenced on May 30, 2013.
Jack Roth, head prosecutor of the Colorado Attorney General's violent crimes staff, and Brad Junge of Grand Junction, Hampson's new court-appointed attorney, appeared before Chief District Court Judge Doug Walker via telephone to request a continuance on Thursday, Nov. 6. Walker granted the appeal until February 2015.
Hampson was originally charged with first-degree murder as a habitual criminal. According to court records, Hayes sustained six blunt-force impacts to the face, and his throat was sliced with a razor. Medical records indicate Hayes died slowly. The murder weapon wasn't recovered.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com