CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — The Nevada Supreme Court has rejected James Biela's second appeal seeking to overturn his conviction in the 2008 murder of a 19-year-old girl who was kidnapped while sleeping on her friend's couch near the University of Nevada, Reno campus.
Biela was sentenced to death after he was found guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping and sexual assault of Brianna Denison. Her body wasn't discovered until weeks later in a field in south Reno.
Biela argued in his latest appeal that he had been denied effective legal representation by his public defenders during his trial in Washoe District Court.
The Nevada Appeal reports the Supreme Court justices unanimously rejected his appeal earlier this week. They said he offered no evidence that his lawyers could have presented to undermine the DNA evidence that linked him to the crime.