Killer Of 3 On Texas Death Row Loses Federal Court Appeal

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HOUSTON (AP) - A federal appeals court has rejected an appeal from a South Texas man sent to death row for a triple slaying at a neighbor's home 10 years ago.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has refused an appeal from 30-year-old LeJames Norman, who pleaded guilty in 2008 to the shootings in Edna, near Victoria.

Court documents show Norman and an accomplice, Ker'Sean Ramey, mistakenly barged into a home where they believed they'd steal cocaine. Killed were 24-year-old Samuel Roberts, 18-year-old Tiffany Peacock and 38-year-old Celso Lopez.
Norman fled to Mexico, then was arrested using false identification trying to get back into the U.S.

The appeals court late Friday rejected arguments he had deficient legal help at his trial and in earlier appeals.

Ramey also is on death row.

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