WICHITA, Kan. (AP) An imprisoned Kansas doctor who admitted prescribing a painkiller to a woman he never met is getting a rare chance to prove his claim that his previous attorney provided ineffective counsel.
U.S. District Judge Monti Belot will hear arguments and evidence Monday in the case of Lawrence Simons, the Goddard physician who pleaded guilty in 2010 to unlawfully prescribing narcotics.
Simons is scheduled to complete his prison sentence on March 7. He wants the judge to remove the prohibition that keeps him from practicing medicine during his supervised release.
Simons also contends he is innocent and says his trial attorney misled him into pleading guilty.
Prosecutors pointed out Simons testified as to his guilt and admitted under oath he prescribed painkillers outside the course of medical practice.
