Man Who Pleaded Guilty Now Says He Didn’t Do Anthing Wrong

Utica, NY (WIBX) - A Utica man who pleaded guilty to violating an order of protection has changed his mind, because he and his alleged victim are now planning to get married.

That's what Anthony Felder told Oneida County Court Judge Michael Dwyer as he appeared for sentencing this morning.

Felder, who has been in jail for the past six months, was scheduled to be sentenced to a year behind bars for violating a court order to stay away from his then-girlfriend.

The woman, apparently now his fiance, was in court this morning as well, prepared to address the court. However, Felder was removed from the courtrooom and his sentencing adjorned for another month after he became argumentative with the judge for not allowing him to withdraw his guilty plea.

"This case has nothing to do with me," Felder said. "I'm copping to something to satify the court and the attorneys. I've been incarcerated for six months for something I didn't do."

Felder pleaded guilty to criminal contempt in February, but now denies doing anthing wrong.

"You admitted to me under oath...I'm not going to allow you to withdraw you're plea. You had a chance to have a trial. You told me you wanted to plead guilty," Dwyer said.

Felder continued to argue, speaking over the judge and prosecutor Todd Carville, "What am I accepting a year for?"

Dwyer warned Felder not to speak again unless he was asked to, "...One more word and you're gonna be dragged out of here."

"I can walk out," Felder said.

"Take him out of here," Dwyer said, adjourning the sentencing until May 16th.

"Thank you," Felder said as he was escorted out of the courtroom and taken back to the Oneida County Jail.