Topeka ? A Fort Riley soldier convicted last summer for the shooting deaths of two fellow soldiers will be back in court Friday for a hearing that could lead to a reduction in his prison sentence.

Attorneys for Sgt. Aaron Stanley hope to present new evidence and testimony that could lead to a reduction in Stanley’s life sentence. The hearing was requested by Maj. Gen. Dennis Hardy, commanding general of Fort Riley.

Stanley was convicted last summer of two counts of premeditated murder for the Sept. 13, 2004, shooting deaths of Staff Sgt. Matthew Werner, 30, of Oxnard, Calif., and Spc. Christopher D. Hymer, 23, of Nevada, Mo., at Stanley’s farmhouse outside Clay Center, about 30 miles west of Fort Riley. The home was used by the soldiers and their friends for illegal drug activity, including use and manufacture of methamphetamines. According to Lt. Col. David Velloney, Stanley’s military attorney asked Hardy that a new hearing be held before final action was taken on the case, which would then begin the appeals process.

Capt. Dan Tracy, an attorney for Stanley, said he plans to present evidence that others may have been in the farmhouse the night of the shootings.

Stanley’s attorneys also hope to present testimony from Sgt. Eric J. Colvin, who was in the home during the shootings. Colvin, of Papillion, Neb., had used and helped make meth at Stanley’s home, according to testimony at his and Stalney’s trials, and had returned there the night of the shootings to help destroy evidence.

A military judge will conduct the hearing and determine if Stanley’s case should be adjusted based on the additional evidence. Stanley’s attorneys are seeking a sentence reduction or a new trial.

Stanley is serving his sentence at the military disciplinary barracks at Fort Leavenworth.

Prosecutors said Stanley shot Werner and Hymer to conceal an illegal drug trafficking operation, believing the victims to be informants for military investigators. Stanley and Colvin had admitted making meth and growing marijuana at Stanley’s farmhouse.

Stanley also was convicted of numerous drug charges. He was acquitted of conspiring with Colvin to commit the murders.

During Stanley’s court martial, Colvin testified that he and Stanley went to the farmhouse to dispose of drugs and to avoid a confrontation with Hymer and Werner. But a fight broke out and Stanley shot Hymer and Werner, Colvin said.

Colvin pleaded guilty to use of methamphetamines, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and wrongful distribution of methamphetamines. Colvin was sentenced to 12 years in prison, which Hardy later reduced to nine years.