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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A federal judge has rejected an appeal by a record producer who argued that a 55-year mandatory minimum sentence for carrying a gun while selling marijuana was too harsh. But the judge will consider whether he was adequately advised by his lawyer during plea negotiations.
U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell scheduled a Feb. 11 hearing on Weldon Angelos' contention that he rejected a plea offer because he was not adequately informed by his attorney of the risks he faced by going to trial.
Angelos founded Extravagant Records, which produces rap and hip-hop music.
He was convicted in December 2003 on 16 counts of drug trafficking, weapons possession and money laundering. A federal appeals court upheld his 55-year sentence and the U.S. Supreme Court declined in 2006 to review the case.
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
