Lance backs out of plea agreement
The man accused of lighting a fire which killed his friend two years ago backed out of a plea agreement Friday, minutes before he was to settle his case with a guilty plea.
The suspect, Thomas Gregory Lance, 24, is presently charged with first-degree murder for allegedly setting the trailer fire which claimed the life of Joseph Lee Neal, 21.
The fatal fire happened July 1, 2000 at the Bill Webb Road residence where Neal lived in a small trailer. The victim’s body was found inside the rubble of the burned trailer. An investigation revealed traces of an accelerant used to allegedly set the fire outside the trailer.
Lance was an immediate suspect since he was the last person to see Neal alive. Lawmen also reportedly found traces of accelerant on Lance’s clothing, linking him to the fire.
Lance was set to stand trial for the crime next week; however, a plea agreement had reportedly been worked out and was to be entered before the court Friday. The agreement was set aside by Lance’s attorney, Michael Galligan, Friday morning when he announced his client had second thoughts about accepting the bargain. It is not known why Lance withdrew from the agreement.
Given the fact both sides thought a deal would be made, District Attorney General Dale Potter told the court it would be impossible to go forward with the trial on its original date next week. Instead, the case has been delayed until Sept. 11, when a new trial date will be set.
While the terms of the proposed plea agreement have not been released, it is believed Lance would have been entering a plea to a lesser level of murder other than first-degree murder. Lance remains held awaiting trial.