HOUSTON (AP) -- A prisoner on Texas death row for the fatal stabbings of an 89-year-old woman and her 71-year-old daughter at their Fort Worth home has lost a federal court appeal.

The ruling Wednesday from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals moves 58-year-old Billy Jack Crutsinger a step closer to execution for the April 2003 slayings of Pearl Magouirk and Patricia Syren. Evidence showed Crutsinger got into their home under the pretense of doing some work.

His appeal contended he had poor legal help at his trial where attorneys should have pursued evidence he had mental impairments and previous head injuries. He also argued a federal judge should have provided money so his claims of poor legal help could be more fully investigated.

Crutsinger does not yet have an execution date.

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