Man attempting to withdraw plea involving stabbing death of 14-year-old Fargo girl

(Fargo, ND) -- The man who pleaded guilty to brutally attacking a Fargo teen that eventually died from her injuries is now trying to back out of his decision.

23-year-old Arthur Kollie has put in a request to Cass County Judge John Irby to withdraw his Alford plea connected to charges that he fatally stabbed Jupiter Paulsen near the Party City in South Fargo this past June. 

Prosecutors have asked Judge Irby to deny Kollie's request, claiming he did in fact know what the plea meant when he made it, while the Fargo native has said he did not understand it. Kollie also says he didn't enter the pleas voluntarily, and that his attorney at the time Nicholas Thornton didn't "properly assist and help him in the process.'

Kollie is accused of stabbing the 14-year-old dozens of times after reportedly taking methamphetamine in the parking lot of the business around 7 a.m. June 4th.

A hearing to determine if Kollie can withdraw his guilty plea is set for January 18th, while his sentencing date for the crime is still preliminarily set for February 28th. If his plea stands, Kollie could face a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole.