Ex-senator can withdraw guilty plea in sexual-favors case

ST. ALBANS, Vt. (AP) — A judge is going to allow a former Republican Vermont state senator to withdraw a guilty plea to charges he tried to extract sexual favors in exchange for rent.

The decision was released Thursday by a Franklin County judge. It will allow former Sen. Norman McAllister to go to trial.

As a result of the decision, the 65-year-old McAllister faces one count of sexual assault and three counts of prohibited acts. The Highgate Center resident has maintained his innocence.

McAllister agreed to plead guilty to charges on the eve of his second trial in January. The next day he asked to withdraw the plea, claiming he'd been pushed into it by his attorneys.

McAllister's new lawyer says they're looking forward to the opportunity.

Prosecutors dismissed two sexual-assault charges during McAllister's first trial.