The civil trial for a 25-year-old Hutchinson man convicted of attempted manufacture of methamphetamine and attempted 2nd degree murder resumed Monday afternoon with both sides giving their arguments in the case. Paul Stotts is arguing ineffective counsel at trial and at the appellate level, while the state argues there is no basis for either. Judge Trish Rose took all the issues argued under advisement after both sides gave closing statements.
He’s serving roughly 25-years after being convicted of attempted 2nd degree murder for crashing his vehicle into another, badly injuring the other driver. The state says it was intentional, while Stotts maintains it was an accident. He was also found guilty of having items consistent with a meth lab inside his vehicle, two counts of aggravated battery, and several counts of flee and elude.
The case has to do with the 24-minute high speed chase through both South Hutchinson and Hutchinson which ultimately ended with the crash on K-61 back on March 26th of 2007.
He was on the stand again Monday and admitted he was mistaken about a communications he had with his appellate attorney. Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell tried to get him to admit he lied, but he merely said he was not misleading or lying, just didn’t remember.
One his main arguments was never being told by his attorney of a plea offer from the state that would have reduced his sentence to 162-months.
At the appellate level, he wanted his appellate attorney to ask for a review to the Kansas Supreme Court after the Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction and sentence. That also never happened according to Stotts.
Again, Judge Rose took the issues under advisement.