Judge to provide written decision on request to withdraw plea in deadly 2016 Fort Myers hit-and-run

The man in prison for killing 18-year-old Adam King in a hit-and-run crash in 2016 is trying to withdraw his plea.

Adam Costello claims his attorney didn’t perform well when he took a plea deal in 2018. He was convicted of hitting Adam King while the 18-year-old rode a motorcycle in Fort Myers.

The judge said in court that she wasn’t ready to rule on whether Adam Costello could withdraw his guilty plea. Instead, she’ll issue a written decision.

As for the victim’s mother? She said the hearing felt like the first day of the trial all over again and that her insides were shaking.

Costello said he would never have agreed to 10-plus years in prison if he knew he could have gotten four years instead. That was the foundation of his argument for ineffective counsel.

The state countered, saying Costello is to blame for King’s death and that he was advised properly based on what his attorney at the time found in discovery

King’s mom, Tracy Miller, wants Costello just to accept his punishment.

“It’s a slap to the face. It’s a kick to the stomach and a shot to the heart. And it’s like he’s taking my son’s name and his life and his death all in vain because he doesn’t want to do any more time in prison,” said Miller.

Miller said she doesn’t think she could handle another trial.

The judge said it wouldn’t take long for her to issue her written decision.