A Gaston County Superior Court judge has rejected a motion filed on behalf of Roger Self, who sought to overturn his 2021 guilty plea in the deaths of his daughter, Katelyn Self, and daughter-in-law, Amanda Self.
Background of the Case
In 2018, Self drove his vehicle into a restaurant where his family was dining, resulting in the deaths of Katelyn Self and Amanda Self. At trial, expert testimony from Dr. George Corvin highlighted that Self’s bipolar disorder and incorrect medication prescriptions affected his mental state during the incident.
Self ultimately pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 38 to 48 years in prison.
Motion to Reconsider Conviction
In November 2025, Self filed a motion claiming inadequate representation by his attorney, Rick Beam. The motion argued that Beam failed to pursue an insanity defense, pressured Self to plead guilty, and had divided loyalty, among other allegations.
Court Ruling
Superior Court Judge William Stetzer denied the motion, stating that Self did not provide evidence that Beam pressured him, had divided loyalty, or caused him to make an uninformed decision. Beam confirmed that all plea options and possible defenses were thoroughly discussed with Self.
Reactions
Gaston County District Attorney Travis Page expressed “measured joy” for the victims’ family, noting that while the ruling may provide closure, additional appeals could still occur.
“We are happy for the family and hopefully this could be closure, but sometimes these appeals can live forever,” Page said.
