WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A Kansas doctor serving a two-year prison sentence says he felt coerced and pressured when he pleaded guilty to unlawfully prescribing painkillers to a woman he never met.
Lawrence Simons testified in federal court Monday on his claim that his previous attorney provided ineffective counsel. U.S. District Judge Monti Belot heard more than three hours of testimony but did not immediately rule.
Simons, of Goddard, is scheduled to complete his prison term March 7. He wants the judge to remove a prohibition barring him from practicing medicine during his supervised release.
He contends he is innocent and claims his trial attorney led him to believe he would get probation if he pleaded guilty.
But under cross-examination, Simons acknowledged admitting his guilt under oath at his plea hearing and sentencing in 2010.
