UPDATE: Steve Nunn Contests Guilty Plea In Murder

A Governor’s son, Steve Nunn, who admits he killed his ex-fiance wants to withdraw his guilty plea and have a trial. 

In court in Lexington Thursday, Nunn was contesting his guilty plea in the 2009 shooting death of his ex-fiancé, Amanda Ross.

Nunn said he trusted his former attorney he had a deal:  Nunn would plead guilty, and in exchange the Ross estate would not file a civil law suit against him.

In court Thursday, Nunn said either his former attorney, Warren Scoville, mislead him, misrepresented him, or lied to him.  If a judge agrees, Nunn’s criminal case goes back to square one.  

Amanda Ross was killed as she left her Lexington townhouse to go to work.  Nunn is a former state representative and the son of a former Kentucky governor. He pleaded guilty to killing Ross in 2011 to avoid the death penalty.

"Yes, I shot her," admitted Nunn in court Thursday.  

He’s serving life without parole for that crime.  Now, he wants a trial.  Nunn said his defense would be that he was acting under extreme emotional distress.

"Let me just state that I didn’t drive to Lexington to kill Amanda Ross.  I didn’t, I never envisioned, or intended for what happened to happen, and I’m sorry about everything," testified Nunn. 

Nunn spoke in front of Amanda’s mother, Diana. 

Nunn said he only pleaded guilty, because he believed in exchange the Ross family would not sue him in civil court.  Nunn’s former lawyer testified that was the deal.

The Ross’ attorney, Burl McCoy, testified that was never a deal.

The Ross’ sued Nunn, and he was ordered to pay $24 million to the Ross estate, which he’s appealing.  

"I feel like I made a good faith effort and offer to end it for everybody and somehow or another I was lied to, mislead, misrepresented, and I believe that I’m entitled to my day in court," said Nunn. 

The Commonwealth argued a person cannot voluntarily plead guilty with any strings attached.  The Commonwealth argued Nunn knew that, and never mentioned this deal when he entered his guilty plea.  

The Commonwealth’s attorneys and Nunn’s new attorneys have until December, 15th to file post-hearing briefs.  The judge said she then had 30 days to give her ruling, but hoped to have it as soon as possible.