PLANO, Texas (AP) — A federal judge has allowed a North Texas man to withdraw his guilty plea to trying to blow up a natural gas pipeline with a homemade bomb last year.
U.S. District Judge Richard Schell allowed Anson Chi (CHEE) to withdraw his plea Wednesday at a court hearing in Plano. That's after he allowed the 34-year-old Plano man to fire his legal team and represent himself.
However, Schell also warned Chi that representing himself at trial could make it more likely that he will be convicted and sentenced to up to life imprisonment. Another hearing is scheduled for April 7.
Chi had pleaded guilty June 3 to maliciously attempting to destroy an Atmos Energy natural gas pipeline in Plano and illegally possessing an explosive device.
