(AP) - A judge in Reno has refused to grant a new trial for a man sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a 19-year-old college student nearly eight years ago.
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Washoe District Judge Scott Freeman said Thursday that James Biela's lawyers failed to prove he was denied a fair trial when he was convicted of killing Brianna Denison and sexually assaulting two other women near the University of Nevada, Reno campus.
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Among other things, Biela's lawyers argued the case should have been moved out of Reno because of unprecedented pre-trial publicity.
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Judge Freeman says there's no evidence Biela failed to receive effective representation during trial or subsequent appeal.
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He says there was overwhelming evidence for the jury to find Biela guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
