Judge denies Jeremy Cuellar’s request to withdraw guilty plea

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich.—A judge has denied Jeremy Cuellar’s request to withdraw his guilty plea.

Cuellar pleaded guilty to second degree murder in July 2019 and was sentenced to 65 to 90 years in prison.

Evidence in the case showed that Cuellar, along with Kemia Hassel, plotted to kill Tyrone Hassel III so they could get his Army death benefit and be together, court documents said.

Tyrone was shot and killed in front of his father's house in Berrien County on December 31, 2018.

According to court documents, Cuellar alleged that his guilty plea in Tyrone's murder was not voluntary.

A judge on Monday denied Cuellar’s motion to withdraw the plea, court documents said.

There was not “compelling or convincing evidence” submitted by Cuellar to support that his guilty plea was a result of threats or coercion, according to court documents.

You can read our full coverage of the Hassel trial and watch Love. Honor. Betrayal. which includes video from the scene of the murder and a phone call between Cuellar and Tyrone's father. Click here to view our full coverage of this case.