Murder Suspect Requests Change Of Plea Hearing

The man charged with second degree murder in the March 2011 slaying of a 24-year-old Idaho Falls man was in court on Wednesday.

The pretrial conference for Geoffery Elawadly took a turn that had Judge Jon Schindurling cancel the upcoming April 2 trial date.

Elawadly’s defense attorney says there is a plea arrangement in the works between his client and the state.

The appearance took less than 15 minutes. Elawadly’s attorney requested Schindurling consider scheduling a change of plea hearing. He cited his client’s need for more time to discuss the terms of a pending agreement to change his plea of not guilty.

Schindurling expressed concern this would require vacating the April 2 trial date, but Elawadly’s attorney said he was confident a deal would be signed. Schindurling cancelled the April 2 date and scheduled a change of plea hearing for April 4 at 10 a.m.

Elawadly’s charges are in connection with a car chase and shooting in March 2011 that killed 24-year-old Anthony Camp.

Jason Burns, the other man police said was involved, turned himself in soon after the incident. Elawadly kept Idaho Falls police on the lookout for several days before they found him hiding in an Idaho Falls home.

Bonneville County prosecuting attorney Bruce Pickett said nothing is for sure.

“There is no certainty on this,” he said. “The only thing I can really say is that it’s currently scheduled for a change of plea based on the defense request.”

Because this is an ongoing case, and the agreement has not yet been signed, our station won’t know its terms until the hearing.

We will bring you the latest news as it develops.