Former New London resident Gregory Pierre, who is serving an 85-year prison sentence for his role in the 1998 beating death of Essex yachtsman James Connor, is seeking a modification of his sentence based on a claim that he was subject to double jeopardy.

Pierre, 42, filed a motion to correct an illegal sentence in September.

On Wednesday, he was transported from the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution to New London Superior Court, where he was presented before Judge Hillary B. Strackbein.

The judge asked public defender Bruce A. Sturman to review Pierre’s self-authored legal claim and continued the case to November.

Pierre, then known as “Coyote,” was one of three men charged in the beating death of “Captain Jim” Connor, 33, who disappeared after going to Lucky’s Cafe in New London to buy crack cocaine on Aug. 23, 1998.

His car was subsequently recovered in the Waterford duck pond. His body eventually was located in Bates Woods Park in New London.

Superior Court Judge Stuart M. Schimelman sentenced Pierre to 85 years in prison in 2001 after a New London jury found Pierre guilty of felony murder, first-degree manslaughter, two counts of kidnapping and first-degree robbery.

His conviction has withstood several appeals, but Pierre is still seeking relief through the court system.

“The defendant claims that his convictions for manslaughter and felony murder, and his multiple convictions for kidnapping in the first degree, constitutes cumulative punishment in violation of the prohibition of the double jeopardy clause of the Fifth Amendment of the United State’s Constitution,” says a memorandum submitted with his motion.

Pierre’s codefendants, Abin Britton and Jeffrey “Monk” Smith, also were found guilty and are serving 85-year prison sentences.

k.florin@theday.com

Twitter: @KFLORIN