Wickenhagen Wants Trial In Attempted Rape Case Rachel Carver’s Uncle Asks To Withdraw Guilty Plea, Fire Court-Appointed Lawyer

Claiming he was coerced into pleading guilty to a sex crime, Jason Wickenhagen wants to fire his lawyer and go to trial.

Now accused of murdering his 9-year-old niece, Rachel Carver, Wickenhagen is scheduled to be sentenced July 5 for an unrelated crime - trying to rape a teenage girl.

The Spokane car wash attendant faces a fiveyear prison term for the rape attempt.

His court-appointed attorney, Terence Ryan, declined to comment on the developments.

Judges rarely allow defendants to withdraw guilty pleas prior to sentencing.

In a three-page statement filed Friday in Spokane County Superior Court, Wickenhagen asserts his innocence, claims to have witnesses who can prove it, and accuses Ryan of pressuring him into accepting a plea bargain.

Wickenhagen was initially charged last summer with attempted first-degree rape. The 16-year-old girl said he held a gun to her head and threatened to kill her.

He let her go after she told him she was pregnant, according to police.

On Feb. 10, Wickenhagen pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of indecent liberties. His sentencing was delayed for several months while he was evaluated for possible sexoffender treatment.

He was out of jail on June 15, when he was arrested on suspicion of murder, accused of beating Rachel to death.

, DataTimes