DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Only three weeks away from a sentencing date, a Decatur couple found guilty on child porn charges has a sudden change in representation.
Doug and Kelly Nichols were both found guilty of possessing child pornography in Macon County Court in October 2024. Their sentencing was originally scheduled for November, but it has been postponed several times. It is now scheduled for April 24.
On Friday the Nichols’ lawyer, Andrew Wessler, withdrew from the case after stating a conflict recently came to light and filed a petition to withdraw himself as their attorney.
That petition was filed on March 24.
A new lawyer attended Friday's hearing to replace Wessler. He asked for sentencing to be pushed back for enough time to educate himself on the trial.
Judge Lindsey Shelton expressed concern that replacing the attorney would delay sentencing even further. She did not push back the sentencing date, but the Nichols’ new attorney said he was unsure he would be able to get up to speed quickly enough for the April 24th date.
A new status hearing has been scheduled for April 14, where the attorney will update the court on his efforts to view evidence and talk to witnesses before the sentencing.
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