enlarge Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal

Leo R. Hylton confers with his attorney, Lisa Whittier, during a hearing Tuesday at Kennebec County Superior Court on his request to revoke guilty pleas in a June 2008 home invasion.

A 19-year-old man accused of attacking a former legislator's family during a home invasion last year is seeking to withdraw his guilty plea.

Leo R. Hylton pleaded guilty May 29 to three counts of attempted murder and one count each of robbery and burglary in the predawn invasion of the home of William Guerrette Jr. in Pittston in June 2008.

Police say Hylton and his former foster brother, Daniel L. Fortune, attacked Guerrette, then 48, and his daughter, Nicole, then 10, with a machete.

Lisa Whittier, Hylton's attorney, said her client pleaded guilty without "full and appropriate advice of counsel, or without truly understanding the nature and effects of the charges."

Because of his plea, the prosecution dropped four charges of aggravated attempted murder, which can carry life sentences.

"At the time, he felt he had no other options (but to plead guilty)," Whittier told Justice Nancy Mills on Tuesday in Kennebec County Superior Court.

Hylton was represented by Robert J. Ruffner at the time of his guilty plea. He requested, and was granted, a different attorney in September.

Whittier said Hylton "expressed extreme displeasure" with Ruffner, including writing a letter detailing how he did not hear from Ruffner for months.

For the letter to be considered as a basis for Hylton to withdraw the plea, the prosecution would ask that Ruffner "be interviewed and his testimony considered," said Deputy District Attorney Alan Kelley.

Guerrette and his wife, Melanie Guerrette, were at Tuesday's hearing.

"I'm frustrated. I'm absolutely frustrated," he said. "(Hylton) said he did it, and there's no doubt he did it, so why is he trying to change his plea now? We want this behind us, and by dragging it out, he is further victimizing my daughter, my wife and myself."

William Guerrette Jr. suffered broken bones and a severed eye muscle that required surgery, and also lost a finger. He has undergone several months of speech, physical and occupational therapy.

Nicole's skull was fractured and she developed a bone infection. She also suffered multiple deep cuts. Her father said she is "physically doing well, but mentally and emotionally, she is still struggling."

Fortune, Hylton's roommate at the time of the incident, pleaded not guilty in February to all charges, including four counts of aggravated attempted murder.

His trial has been scheduled for next month, said his attorney, Pam Ames.