DA: Binghamton student from LI wants to withdraw plea in slaying

A former Binghamton University student from Massapequa who pleaded guilty in the stabbing death of another student has asked a judge to withdraw his plea, according to the Broome County district attorney's office.

Michael Roque had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in a Broome County courtroom in September, as part of a deal with the district attorney's office. 

Roque fatally stabbed fellow student Joao Souza, 19, a freshman engineering major at Binghamton, on April 15, police said.

The plea deal reportedly capped Roque's prison exposure at 20 years to life and allowed his defense attorney to argue for a  lesser 15 years to life.

At a court appearance Friday, Roque asked the judge to withdraw his plea. The judge made no decision and adjourned the matter until Nov. 14, according to James Worhach, a spokesman for the county's district attorney.

Roque remains in jail and his sentencing is still scheduled for Nov. 20, Worhach said.

Upstate authorities have not released details on Roque's motive for allegedly stabbing Souza. 

Roque initially refused a plea deal Sept. 6, then accepted it the next day.  

At the time Worhach said Roque told the court that he had panicked when he heard Thursday's plea deal so that's why he initially said no to the offer.