Federal Court Rejects Appeal In 1995 Colorado Murder Case

DENVER (AP) — A man who had his death sentence overturned in a 1995 murder case has lost his appeal to a federal court to review his life sentence.

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that Frank Martinez failed to show any constitutional violations.

Martinez had his death penalty overturned in 2003 after courts ruled a three-judge panel did not have the authority to sentence Martinez to death. The courts ruled death penalty decisions should be left up to jurors.

Martinez was convicted for his role in killing 14-year-old honor student Brandaline Duvall, who was raped, tortured and left to die along a creek.

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