A man convicted of a 2012 murder in Belton is seeking a new trial after new evidence emerges.

27-year-old Chance Deallen Keller is currently serving life in prison with no possibility of parole after being convicted of the shooting death of 20-year-old Stephen Wright in February 2012. Keller appeared in court Friday and pleaded with Judge Martha Trudo to grant his request for a new trial. He admits to engaging in several criminal activities, but insists he did not kill Wright. Trudo is expected to rule on the matter on Monday or Tuesday.

The hearing was ordered after Leslie Whiteley, an inmate at Bell County Jail, wrote a letter to prosecutor Mike Waldmen stating that he overheard another prisoner bragging about killing Wright and laughing when he heard of Keller’s conviction in a television news report.

That man, 22-year-old Brandon Hargett, allegedly bragged about killing Wright during a botched drug deal.

Keller, who displayed combative behavior at Friday’s hearing, told the court he’d traveled from Waco the day of the murder to sell prescription pain killers to Wright. According to Keller, the deal was being made in a home in the 400 block of West Seventh Avenue when Hargrett entered the home and a fight ensued. Keller says the murder weapon fell from his pocket and Hargett picked it up and shot Wright.

More From KSSM-FM