Man charged with third degree murder in child’s death denied request to withdraw guilty plea

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man who pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in the 2018 shooting death of seven-year-old Heidy Villanueva appeared before a judge Thursday to withdraw his guilty plea.

The defense hired its own expert who says only two slugs hit the car Heidy was in and from where the defendant, Stanley Harris was standing during the shootout it would have been impossible for him to fire the shot that killed her.

Heidy's life was just beginning.

She was headed to the first grade, but her life was cut short by a stray bullet in 2018.

Heidy was killed while sitting in a car off 103rd street.

She and her father were waiting for her mother to get off work.

Since that shooting, a total of five people have been charged in connection to Heidy’s death including Stanley Harris.

Harris initially pleaded guilty for third degree murder, but he told a judge Thursday he had a misunderstanding.

A judge later denied his request saying there was no new evidence when Harris entered his plea.

Heidy’s mother was in the courtroom with a translator and told Action News Jax Reporter Jamarlo Phillips her daughter deserves justice.

“She has felt the loneliness that the girl left with her parting, the situation with the father and mother not having her, she is leaving it to god,” said Angelica Rivas Villanueva.

A judge says this is a case of buyer’s remorse.

A sentencing hearing will happen on January 27th.

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