PARIS – An attorney for Christian Nielsen, who pleaded guilty to four counts of murder last week, said Wednesday he will file an appeal in the case.

Defense attorney Ron Hoffman, who along with co-counsel Margot Joly represented the 32-year-old Nielsen, formerly of Newry, said he will send the appeal to the Oxford County Superior Court today.

Nielsen pleaded guilty Oct. 9 to the murders of James Whitehurst, 50, of Batesville, Ark.; Julie Bullard, 65, of Newry; Selby Bullard, 30, of Bethel; and Cindy Beatson, 43, of Bethel. The killings occurred over the Labor Day weekend in 2006 in Upton and Newry.

His guilty plea was conditional, allowing the defense to appeal decisions by Justice Robert E. Crowley to deny a motion to suppress statements Nielsen made to police and his father after the killings. The defense may also appeal a ruling by Crowley that Nielsen was fit to stand trial.

Nielsen had previously entered not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity pleas in the case.

Nielsen was sentenced on Oct. 18 to serve four concurrent life sentences in prison.