Idaho man wants to withdraw guilty plea in wife’s death

LEWISTON – An Moscow, Idaho, man who pleaded guilty to killing his wife and unborn daughter is seeking to withdraw his pleas.

The Lewiston Tribune reported that Silas Parks’ attorney argues that his 2010 lawyers should have hired a forensic pathologist.

Parks, a Moscow resident, pleaded guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter and one of arson for the 2009 deaths of Sarah Parks and their unborn daughter, Lilly Ann.

Court documents say Attorney Thomas Whitney says a medical expert could have challenged Sarah Parks’ autopsy report. Whitney says Parks wouldn’t have agreed to the plea deal if he knew the report could be challenged.

A pathologist testified at a hearing last month that the cause of Sarah Parks’ death should been ruled “undetermined.”

Prosecutors will file an argument against Whitney’s claims by March 11.