Andre Johnson, 24, of Newark, had pleaded guilty in exchange for a recommended 15-year state prison sentence
Andre JohnsonNEWARK -- A Newark man is looking to withdraw his guilty plea to charges of shooting a woman in the face and then attacking her mother during back-to-back incidents in 2014.
When Andre Johnson appeared in court on Friday for his sentencing, his attorney, Laura Bilotta, said Johnson had filed a motion to withdraw the guilty plea, according to an audio recording of the hearing.
Bilotta told Superior Court Judge Michael L. Ravin that Johnson wants to retract the plea, because he claims he was "uninformed about the strength of the state's case and the amount of time he would be getting."
But in order for the judge to receive a more "comprehensive reasoning," Bilotta said Johnson would need to be appointed a new attorney to represent him for the motion, because it would be a conflict for her to continue as his counsel. Bilotta was representing Johnson when he pleaded guilty and beforehand.
Johnson is expected to return to court with his new attorney on Feb. 26.
Johnson, 24, pleaded guilty on Nov. 30 to attempted murder, aggravated assault and unlawful possession of handgun.
Under a plea deal, prosecutors agreed to recommend a 15-year state prison sentence for Johnson, according to Katherine Carter, spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. Johnson would have to serve nearly 13 years before becoming eligible for parole.
Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Frantzou Simon is handling the case.
The attacks occurred on Nov. 11, 2014 on Hawthorne Avenue in Newark, Carter said.
Johnson and the woman, who were acquaintances, were outside talking on Hawthorne Avenue near her mother's home when Johnson allegedly pulled a gun on the woman, Carter said.
Johnson allegedly took the woman to a vacant house, where he robbed her of $350 in cash, her house keys and a cell phone, Carter said. Johnson is then accused of placing a pillow over the woman's head and firing a .22-caliber handgun into her face, according to Carter.
As the woman pretended to be dead, Johnson allegedly went to her mother's house on Hawthorne Avenue, Carter said. Johnson is accused of demanding money from the mother before attacking her, Carter said.
According to Carter, Johnson strangled the mother with a chokehold and used a pillow to try to stop her from breathing, but she was able to break loose and call police. Both women survived their injuries.
Johnson remains in custody in the Essex County Correctional Facility.
Bill Wichert may be reached at bwichert@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillWichertNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.