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Man who admitted to brutally attacking Neptune Beach veteran wants to withdraw plea

Jacksonville, FL — One of the three people who pleaded guilty to an attack on an elderly Neptune Beach veteran, which ultimately led to that man’s death, now wants to withdraw that plea.

A motion- which appears to be hand written- has been filed by Douglas Cercy, requesting that he be allowed to withdraw his plea of guilty and reinstate his plea of not guilty. In the motion, Cercy contends his attorney did not make clear that Cercy would be waiving his right to appeal. Instead, the motion says Cercy's attorney focused only on the penalty that could be imposed under the plea deal, compared to the sentence he could face under the offenses as charged.

“The Defendant asserts, He, being ill informed, could not have voluntarily entered His plea of guilty because He did not have knowledge of all of the facts pertaining to His options,” the motion says.

As it stands now, Cercy’s case has a hearing later this month, to deal with setting a sentencing date. He faces between 40 years and life in prison, after pleading guilty to second degree murder, kidnapping with a weapon, and armed robbery.

Two other people pleaded guilty for this attack- Ray Jones pleaded to second degree murder, kidnapping with a weapon, and armed robbery; and Jennifer Schulte pleaded to second degree murder and kidnapping. They both also have court dates later this month to deal with setting a sentencing date.

The three were responsible for the 2017 kidnapping of 86-year-old Melvin Clark, who was an elderly veteran who lived in Neptune Beach. They had Clark drive them to an ATM to withdraw money, and then had him drive them to the far Westside, while showing a fake gun. Clark was found with his throat slashed off Maxville-Macclenny Highway, and while he survived the initial attack, he died several months later. Clark's car was later found in south Florida, and the three suspects were caught in that area as well.

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