Motive still unknown.
NORMAN, Okla. — An Oklahoma judge on Friday put off deciding whether to accept a man’s request to plead guilty to first-degree murder in the beheading of a co-worker, as a death sentence would still be possible.
Alton Nolen reiterated his desire to plead guilty and die by lethal injection after Cleveland County District Judge Lori Walkley asked a series of questions to assess whether he understood the charges stemming from the September 2014 attack at the Vaughn Foods plant in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore.
“I’m being (held) captive to the disbelievers of Allah, the one and only God,” Nolen, who converted to Islam shortly before the attack, told the judge, declining to take the stand when delivering his testimony. “It’s part of my religion that when death faces you, you do not back down.”
Responding to a question from one of his attorneys, who argue that he’s not mentally competent enough to enter a plea, Nolen said, “I’ll say it again. I’m here today to plead guilty.”
Citing questions raised by a psychologist who evaluated Nolen at the request of his attorneys, Walkley said she wanted to be sure Nolen “knowingly and voluntarily” entered a guilty plea before she’ll agree to accept it. She said she would announce her decision on Aug. 12.
If Nolen is allowed to plead guilty, there would be a separate hearing to determine his sentence.
Nolen, 31, told Walkley on Friday that he wants to plead guilty to three of the six charges stemming from the attack at the Vaughn Foods plant in Moore, including the first-degree murder charge and two assault charges. He said the court was acting “ungrateful” toward him for his willingness to plead guilty and accept the death penalty, instead putting him through this extended process and not ruling out the possibility of a life sentence.