State v. Blair

HALL, Chief Justice:

Defendant James Earl Blair, aka James Earl Smith, appeals from the trial court’s denial of his motion to withdraw his guilty plea to the offense of first degree murder. We affirm.

On March 1,1978, Blair and William Lloyd Eastwood were arrested in connection with the murder of Robyn LeRoy Halsey. Halsey was found on the side of the road near Seipio, Utah, dead froip a shotgun wound to his chest. Blair and Eastwood initially claimed that they were not involved in the murder, and a single public defender was appointed to represent them.

While the two men were in jail, Blair…