A parole absconder with a lengthy rap sheet has rejected a plea deal and is forging ahead with a trial for a violent robbery in Chesterfield Township, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Roland Lee Moore Jr., 36, could face up to life in prison if convicted of armed robbery and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. Moore turned down a deal calling for him to face between 12 and 23 years, defense attorney Randy Rodnick said.

The move would have paved the way for him to possibly receive the lighter end of the sentence in exchange for the guilty plea. However, he ultimately turned down the deal this week and opted to force the trial.

"There was some forensic evidence that was not in favor to him," Rodnick said of the reasoning for seeking the agreement during the adjourned trial before Macomb County Circuit Judge David Viviano. He did not elaborate on the forensic evidence.

Moore's new trial date is scheduled for Jan. 29 in the Mount Clemens courthouse.

Drive-thru lane attack, manhunt ensues

The case stems from a Jan. 31, 2012 attack in the McDonald's restaurant at 23 Mile near Interstate 94. During a preliminary exam, Donna Fulton testified she was ordering food around 10:30 p.m. before work when a man leaned into her 2008 Jeep Commander in the drive-thru lane.

"I started screaming and he grabbed me," she said in 42-2 District Court in New Baltimore. "I noticed a small silver object and I put up my hands to try and block myself."

During the assault, the suspect stabbed her repeatedly in the hand before he made off with her laptop and her bag with personal items and papers. The laptop was later recovered, she said, adding she suffered deep cuts on her left hand.

Moore led authorities on a multi-day manhunt following the Chesterfield Township crime. Township police, along with the County of Macomb Enforcement Team, also known as COMET, Roseville police, U.S. Marshals Service and the Department of Corrections took him into custody Feb. 3, 2012 without incident as he left a gas station at 9 Mile and Schoenherr.

He has been a parole absconder since November 2011. His extensive criminal background includes assault with a dangerous weapon, fleeing police, drug charges and resisting and obstructing police, according to Chesterfield police.