HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson man convicted in the murder of his wife in 1979 has been denied a motion by the Kansas Supreme Court to withdraw his plea.

The state’s highest court turned down the motion of Phillip Parks in the murder of Rachel Parks from June of 1978. Parks was also convicted of attempted murder of his second wife in New Mexico. The issue arose when Parks asked if he could get credit for time served and concurrent sentences with the New Mexico case.

Sixteen years later, Parks has now filed a motion to set aside the conviction. Parks claims no one told him a plea agreement would still carry a life term in prison.

In 2009 the state legislature passed a law that amended the statute governing plea withdrawals to require the motion be filed within one year of the last appellate court order.

Since Parks is well beyond that time frame, his motion was denied.